Harlan K. Ullman: The First Name Offered from D.C. Madam Deborah Palfrey

The important people over at the Center for Strategic and International Studies are probably not too happy with one of their senior associates right about now. Harlan K. Ullman, known for his "shock and awe" strategy that helped to dress up the Iraq war for public consumption, was named by the Deborah Jeane Palfrey as a regular client of her services, according to court documents on Thursday.

Palfrey, 50, is charged with running a top-shelf call-girl ring in the Washington D.C. area from her Vallejo, California home including a multiple-count racketeering and money-laundering indictment.. She has denied the escort service, which employed over 130 women, engaged in prostitution.

Ullman tells CNN "The allegations do not dignify a response. I'm a private, not a public, citizen. Any further questions are referred to my attorneys."

Palfrey insists that Ullman "is only one of dozens of such officials" who will be exposed.

Prosecutors estimate that her business, operating under the name Pamela Martin and Associates, generated more than $2 million in revenue over 13 years. Clients were investing $200 - $300 for each session. The business was in operation for thirteen years.

In lieu of funds that would afford Palfrey proper legal representation, she's been acting as her own attorney. An earlier attempt to sell her phone records, which are said to boast 10,000 confirmed clients, was blocked by a federal judge who ordered them not to be released. However Palfrey was one step ahead of the law and passed the records on to ABC News before the order took effect.

Palfrey had requested $500,000 to hire an attorney since federal officials had seized her assets in a civil case involving her business. According to Palfrey, a high-profile attorney is needed for a better defense as well as some much needed subpoenas.

She's also banking on satisfied clients to come forward and confirm that the service did not engage in prostitution. Hopefully she's not holding her breath.

A story about Palfrey is set to air in May on ABC's "20/20".

Sources:
Staff Writer, "D.C. madam' names a purported customer" CNN
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/04/12/dc.madam/

AP, "Alleged D.C. madam lists name in court filings; says dozens more could be exposed in future" Boston Herald
URL: http://news.bostonherald.com/national/south/view.bg?articleid=194594