WASHINGTON - Deborah Jeane Palfrey was convicted Tuesday afternoon of racketeering and other charges after a federal court jury determined that her upscale escort service was actually a front for prostitution.
'D.C. madam' convicted on all counts, faces 55 years in prison
April 16, 2008 at 2:34AM
Palfrey, 52, stood impassively as the decision was read. She will remain free pending her sentencing July 24. She faces up to 55 years in prison
Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Connelly urged U.S. District Judge James Robertson to lock Palfrey up immediately, arguing that the verdict will give the woman dubbed the "D.C. Madam" a motive to flee. But the judge denied the request.
The jury heard four days of often tawdry testimony from employees and clients of Pamela Martin & Associates, the business that Palfrey ran until 2006. Palfrey, who denies any wrongdoing, did not testify. The jury convicted her of all charges: one count of racketeering, two of using the mail for illegal purposes, and one of money laundering.
In closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Butler argued that the government's evidence, including testimony from 13 former call girls, proved that sex-for-money was the real business of the $250-an-hour D.C. escort service that Palfrey ran by phone from her Northern California home. He rejected defense claims that Palfrey did not sanction illegal acts and that the business offered legal sexual game-playing and fantasy.
WASHINGTON POST
