More Heads to Roll as D.C. Madam Prepares to Release Full Client List

Debra Jeane Palfrey, known as the D.C. Madame, will appear in court in Washington today for a court hearing. Palfrey is accused of running a prostitution ring, named Pamela Martin and associates, involving 132 women in the Washington D.C. area for the past 13 years, allegedly generating 2 million dollars from her illegal activity. Palfrey claims that her business stayed within the law by offering "Adult Fantasy Services" that involved massage and sexual fantasy, but no actual physical sexual activity. Clients paid between $250.00 to $300.00 for these services.

According to the accused Madame's lawyer, Palfrey plans to release her client list in federal court today. She claims in court filings that "the tentacles of this matter reach far, wide and high into the echelons of power in the United States." The first name Palfrey released did little to back up this assertion, as the man reportedly laughed at the allegation. Palfrey claimed in court papers filed on April 12th that Harlan K. Ullman, leading theorist behind the shock and awe campaign, was one of the escort service's regular customers. Ullman pointed out that he was a private citizen, not a public one and indicated that he was considering legal action against Palfrey over the allegations.

Despite the lackluster results of the first name released, further inquiry by ABC news exposed that at least one high ranking official was involved with the service. ABC news questioned Randall Tobias, head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), about his involvement with the alleged call girl ring, after learning that he had been one of the business' regular customers. Tobias claimed that he simply used the service to have women come to his home to give him massages. Tobias then abruptly resigned from his position at USAID citing personal reasons.

Tobias' resignation came as a shock to the Bush administration. Just days before his resignation the President praised Tobias saying that "he led America's monumental effort to confront and deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the continent of Africa." Ironically Tobias headed the aids initiative in Africa that stressed Abstinence as the first line of defense against the epidemic.

Palfrey is charged with racketeering and money laundering and her assets have been frozen. Palfrey's lawyer stated that she is releasing her client list in the hopes that clients will be able to substantiate her claims that no illegal activity occurred. She has a tough legal battle ahead of her as prosecutors filed portions of her "newsletters" distributed to her employees that taught them how to avoid being arrested. The prosecution also claims that Palfrey employed males to meet with with potential escorts, and test them to see if they could "perform the appropriate prostitution activities." After the release of Ullman and Tobias' names nearly everyone is wondering just how many heads are going to roll in Washington by the time Palfrey's case is resolved.

Resources:
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