But from observing how LE decides to proceed with prosecutions of various crimes, they try to get the most bang for their buck.

In other words, they aren't going to shoot a fly with an elephant gun, and obviously a big syndicate isn't going to brought down with parking ticket violations.

Sommetimes they over-react, and when they do, the defendant often gets sympathy which is not going to get the prosecutor any promotions or elected to office some day; which is something most of them think about.

there are different kind of clients for these places

one type is the one that wants to get a nut here and there, more than likely they won't write a review or if they do they will write one in a blue moon.

another type is the one that goes with Indy girls and most are married and not happy where they are at in their marriage life but not into the risks of agencies

others are serial hobbiest so to say where they just got to get a nut no matter what.. meaning they do anything with a heartbeat and are willing to take discounts for reviews and take the first shot at the new girls so to say .. those types will probably get dragged into this as they are basically part of this operation, not really running it, but supporting it beyond what a regular hobbiest does..  JMHO

As some of you may know from reading the DC board, a local agency was busted by the Feds, indicted on charges of racketeering, money laundering and firearms violations.

The Feds are obviously not interested in local laws like solicitation or lewdness, but I guess it would be useful to know what exactly these charges are and how they may affect the clients. If racketeering is simply the running of a criminal enterprise, I suppose any agency could be accused of that. And ditto for money laundering.

Maybe some legal experts might want to weigh in on this... is it targeting the operators because they are mean and bad or for running an agency. For more details check the DC board but you might have to do some searching to find the particulars.

-- Modified on 1/29/2012 9:23:52 AM

Instead of prosecuting on a number of small crimes that may have a sentence of a few year years and might be served concurrently, the feds can roll them up into a federal RICO prosecution. It was originally passed to target the Mafia/ organized crime but has been in used in other cases.
Money laundering and tax evasion are sometimes easier to prosecute. You follow the money trail and you have your evidence.

...conspiracy, all involve a third party.  While I would love to promote a few ladies through my site, using banners, that would be considering pandering, should I be busted.

  You can find out how these laws apply to you, by Googling, racketeering, conspriracy, and money laundering.  I assure you, the Feds do not care if you are nice or mean, they just want to get their "man".

  If you recall, most people that have been involved with the above were always looked at for tax evasion, including Al Capone.

Hugs and Kisses,
Kelly

You never know how these cases go. IN the Miami companions case the names were released. As of now there is only one article. None of the main stream press has picked up on it. The person who posted the indictment document probably was not authorized to do it. It is a sealed indictment ==> it was not intended for the general public to know what is going on. Also the websites are still up and running.

but the operation of a criminal enterprise through the commission of separate specified crimes that are known as RICO “predicate acts.”

        State law prostitution is NOT a RICO “predicate act” but the use of the facilities - phone, wire, internet - of interstate commerce to violate state prostitution laws is a separate crime – a violation of the Travel Act – that is a RICO predicate act. So as a practical matter LE can almost always craft a RICO charge against agencies. But I think it is when the agency engages in money laundering – another RICO predicate act – or acts of violence that the US attorney chooses to chase down the agency and indict under RICO.’’

      One of the key remedies of the government in a RICO prosecution is the forfeiture of property acquired by proceeds from violating RICO. So the lady from one of the busted agencies who foolishly bought an Aston Martin – the indictment is on line - now finds that the government is requiring her to forfeit this vehicle.

Rico or racketeering (a rather complicated law) would apply generally to prostitution cases only in white slavery or crimes involving movement of aliens for criminal purpose and then only if one could show repetitive criminal activity, if you can tie this to other criminal activity such as money laundering you can make a case with severe penalties and pre- trial seizure of assets that makes defendant's  defense very difficult

Money laundering is often easy to prove since it is very broad.  Many in the current huge Phoenix Temple and prior Desert Divas case of almost 100 felony plea convictions were included.

States I believe also have similar RICO laws.  I have not reserached this but years ago when our infamous Sheriff Joe did big busts I know independent gals who worked alone had cash in one case over $10,000 taken under RICO and another had to buy back her home for its equity (about $50,000) siezed under RICO - EVEN AFTER ALL CHARGES WERE DISMISSED!!!!   NO feds involved just Sheriff Joe

Dismissed because deputies went to far in having fun.  But lawyers told gals would be almost impossibe to defend against RICO sizeure.  Extremely unfair but that is what was done in Phoenix.