In light of last week's developments, and given the present and past relationship of the owners of the two agencies, just wondering what others think about using BDJ these day

Well, I don't want to say it on a public board. Suffice it to say I'm amazed management there is so indiscreet right now.

Some guys prefer not to have to get vetted every time they want to see a different person.  Some like the convenience of dealing with just 1 contact.  Some like earning "frequent flyer" points.  Some like having a "manager" they can complain to if the service was lacking for some reason.  (Try getting some sort of recompense for a bad session from an indie.)
 
And, for some, like me, indies are not always an option.
 
Because of my life situation, I can rarely schedule in advance.  Trying to schedule with an indie on short notice has a success rate of about 5-10%.  Think of how often you hobby.  Now, imagine that 9 out of 10 times you end up not getting to see anyone at all.  Would be frustrating, don't you think?
 
You can sometimes get a backpage girl on such short notice.  For the quality, you may as well take your chances with a street walker.
 
So, that leaves agencies.
 
Yes, there is a different level of risk, but we are all on this forum because, in some cases, we choose the risk side of the risk vs. reward equation.  Seeing escorts is higher risk than abstaining.  Getting a bbbj is higher risk than a cbj.  etc.  
 
For many hobbiests, indies meet their needs perfectly, but we don't all have the same needs.  
 
I am not advocating for agencies.  They might not be for you.  But for every reason to stay away from agencies, others might have equally motivating reasons to stay away from indies.
 
To each his own

I don't have your issues but have often used agencies as a fallback when a date gets cancelled last minute.  It's just that right now a lot of them in NY are in LE cross-hairs and should be avoided for a while.

Fortunately for me, I have gone almost monogamous with a UTR girl who's flexible to my schedule.  I don't foresee needing to use an agency for a long time.  (I hope)

But maybe 1 or 2 who did that international traveling and bringing in foreign commerce and everyone knows you can't bring money in from other countries with bringing unwanted attention to yourself.
Agency atlantic does this and so does apre vous , any agencies you read that are USA I'm sure like the hundreds of agencies out there are not greedy pigs and will weather this fine. They shit in their own backyards and that's the way to go. You leave this country for the bigger and better return, not very good. People need to stay in their own backyards .

Besides the recent one (did international transfers), one of the oldest and most trusted madams from NJ got pinched - and she didn't have international connections.
If I owned an agency (definitely will never do but I was offered to 'open' one many times), I would operate less than a year and close shop, take a break, then reopen again.
To any agency operating as long these did, is just a matter of 'when' they will get caught.
Being greedy in our business is not the way to go.  
You get too big and operating all over the place, you get the feds attention.
That's why many guys are only seeing a handful of local discreet ladies and are completely out of the boards - not posting or writing any reviews.
People in the hobby (boys & girls) tend to forget that babbling too much about ANY illegal activities eventually will have consequences.
For the past few years, I have phased out my online persona to a minimum - I still run ads once in a while just to let people know that I am still 'alive' and around.
Due to the recent events, I am pretty much sticking to my regulars. Less money but I feel way safer

OH JESUS!!!
YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!...PROSTITUTION AND AGENCIES HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOREVER!
I am glad that you all are staying away from the agencies!...It gives me a chance to see someone just as nice and pretty and accommodating as an Indy and I don't have to take out a second mortgage!  
there are benefits to seeing an independent and it is A VERY RARE OCCURANCE that LE goes after the johns! After all if they shut it down completely then they will loose a revenue stream. Yes agencies have their place! Those that play by the rules and pay taxes are usually left alone!...
I doubt that I am wrong but the recent events was an isolated incident!
and sometimes, just because someone pissed someone off the agencies get busted!...maybe it was a client with a beef or a ex-employee with a grief...no one, and I mean no one get's busted just because!!! The ones that are smart have and will always be around!
As far as someone having inside Intel, I am sorry but I doubt it!...LE was conducting their investigation on the recent agency while we were using them. Where you any the wiser?!!!
and were any of you effected??? They don't want us...without us there is no paying clients, without paying clients their is no business, without business there is no Tax revenue!
there are those that are smart! They don't converse via email. they don't discuss specifics and they know their clients. And as far as opening an agency, now, would be the best time! After all the powers that be have their pound of flesh already!

I believe I know of whom you speak (and fuck, lol!).  What a cutie she is, too!

B good bro !!!!!

Carlos Danger are running for office ! Better get rid of the temptation now then later . Kinda awkward to interview the mayor and controller while their getting their daily rub n tug !!!!!! Those 2 crack me up.

One thing I can say about international business, wire transfers, etc, is the powers to be look under the microscope at basically every transaction, for any and all possible criminal activities

Some people may feel they are above the law , but walking onto USA grounds with 4k or more of foreign currency  will sting you big time, keep on doing it and you will be toast.