Deborah Palfrey, the DC Madam was found in Florida in a shed near her mother's mobile home hanged.  She left a suicide note.  It was just two weeks ago she was convicted.  Below is the link to the story.

My heart goes out to her and her family.  

Here is the link to CNN's report

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/01/dc.madam/index.html


But was it truly suicide? Or was it made to look like it???

-- Modified on 5/1/2008 12:56:14 PM

The Sheika is deeply saddened by this news.

The bottom line of every such incident is money; more and more money. This need for money can be real or perceived.
 
In a very real sense prostitutes trade not only sex, but self respect for money. Unfortunately, this state of affairs often leads to a very lonely and marginalized existence. In many instances, the pain and humiliation become unbearable.

We all need to stop and think and try to understand.

Inshalla,

Sheika Fatima
[email protected]  

I can only hope that something good will come out of this in the end. This is sad, sad...
Suicide is so tragic and brutal for the people surviving her.

One of the gals who used to work for her also "committed suicide".

This was a gal with no other issue but a straight prostitution charge (was actually a college professor by day). While its certainly possible I think I'd think twice before I turned tricks with the politically connected in DC....

i seriously doubt that we would be quality providers if we didn't have any self-respect, sheika

I know nothing qbout the events that resulted in this lady's tragic death but I am guessing that the prospect of substantial jail time for a 50 something year old played a greater role than money.

And as for your comment that "prostitutes trade not only sex, but self respect for money," I presume you did not intend to embrace the professional companions of TER in this group. My perception is that the Internet has created a new world where erotic experiences for compensation may be exchanged by equal partners who voluntarily choose what they do and do so with head held high. Nor do I perceive these ladies to be lonely and marginalized.

I think your comment would be accurate with respect to those poor souls forced into the sex industry by circumstances beyond their control and maybe that applies to this lady. I think I would have been a little more comfortable if you had qualified this comment somewhat.

But I do greatly respect your opinions.

... crap and way off base on yet another topic!  

It has portrayed all the women who have ever worked as pathetic individuals who "trade not only sex, but self respect for money" so of course they all must lead "a very lonely and marginalized existence".  While I'm sure that there are some who may fall into that group - the very vast majority of ladies who I have had the pleasure of meeting are far from that!

Maybe the sheika should stop hanging with the tweeker whores on Van Buren and meet some of the very well balanced women who actually choose this line of work because they enjoy it!

If that is how you feel, then you should be against hobbying, not a participant.

i have respect for myself.
probably more than most women in other jobs.

it is society that doesnt respect me.

but that is the choice that i make.

It is my natural inclination to not involve myself with topics of opinions on this board, however, I have a perspective like many other women such as clubjeffe referred to.

True, Sheika, it is tragic if there is any validity to the nature of the demise of this woman, but there are always undercurrents of reasons for the choices individuals make.In my estimation and experience in this business, I have never been happier. To touch people's lives in a myriad of ways is so completing! I know there are MANY others who share  my attitude. It is unfortunate that there are some girls who force themselves to be involved in this occupation. As far as self-respect? I have more today than I have ever possessed and I LOVE what I do!

I'll probably get raked over the coals for my opinion, but I couldn't keep quiet on the topic. Thanks for letting me rant. Piper

Although you may not agree with The Shieka his onions like all onions are valid.

It is not the disagreement that matters but the way a person disagrees.  

Makes the difference between a good conversation and an argument.

A lot of girls in the biz are only here for the money.  But that is true about most jobs.  I am sure some girls feel the way The Shieka mentioned.  I am equally sure that a strong 25 percent just look at this as something they would do anyway but can profit from.  They call that a bit of heaven.

i've updated both of them in swop's victim database as they are victims nonetheless.

let it be a sobering reminder that we are all on the same team and the petty bs makes our team weak.

you over the coals for what you said it's the truth and if they do they don't belong on this board or in the biz/or hobby

I'm really sadden what happened to this lady, she didn't deserve a 50 year sentence....she never hurt anyone, but I can't really blame her for what she did, I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life in prison.

The system needs to lighten up and get tougher on the child molesters and murders.

Hopefully you'll rant more often, to hell with the ones that don't like to play nice!

Take care and be safe
Terri

I’m sorry if I insulted anyone.
 
After perusing this thread, rereading my first post several times, and particularly taking to heart Ana’s and Piper’s comments, I think it is safe to say that the Sheika didn’t do a very good job making her point. My post was clumsy and unclear.

Ana’s and Piper’s posts—though very different—are more reflective of what I was trying to say.

My initial post should have read:

The Sheika is deeply saddened by this news.

The bottom line of every such incident is money; more and more money. This need for money can be real or imagined, but whatever the case, there’s just too much greed and too much hunger for power in this business.

In a very real sense many prostitutes trade not only sex, but self respect for money. For some, this unfortunate state of affairs often leads to a very lonely and marginalized existence. In many instances, the pain and humiliation become unbearable. This is not the fault of the provider. It is the fault of an unenlightened public.

Like most professions, escorting has its share of scoundrels—maybe more than its share. But, the escort trade also has many, ethical, well informed, hard working business people. It has people who care.

We all need to stop and think and try to understand.

As this tragic story unfolds, let’s follow it through to the end. Let’s see how the system works and let’s figure out ways we can make our community better.

Inshalla,

Sheika Fatima
[email protected]

Again, I am very sorry if I inadvertently insulted anyone.

PEACE  






-- Modified on 5/2/2008 2:36:00 PM

The Sheika would like to know, what you mean by "tweeker whore".

I believe YOUR definition of a "tweeker whore" would lead us into some very tantalizing areas of discussion. Yes, indeed, it could be a very revealing essay.

Please don't feel afraid or intimidated.

If you have trouble putting YOUR definition into words you might consider using a compare and contrast format to help organize your thoughts. For instance, how and why does a "tweeker whore's" life differ from others who practice the trade? Don't be afraid to use specific examples, and draw upon YOUR own personal experience/s.

For a variety of reasons, the Sheika knows that many of us are eager to hear what you have to say.

Best regards,

Sheika Fatima







-- Modified on 5/2/2008 2:07:00 PM

-- Modified on 5/2/2008 1:58:57 PM

visualizing suicide there. After all she would be a small fish in a big case with a very important client list. Just the fact she was actually going to trial is odd, a plea bargain for info should have been automatic. I'd guess she was keeping quite out of fear or loyalty but somebody didnt want to take chance....but both of them committing suicide...I doubt it.

this lady's death, I think the DC Madam case raises more issues about prosecutorial judgment and the legal system than it does about issues pertinent to the escort industry. As best as I can tell, this lady was not a prostitute but an enabler of erotic services for pay and a very minor one at that.

Why the government elected to spend tens of thousands of tax payer dollars to pursue this minor player is baffling. The collateral damage was vast - thirteen employees and witnesses (including a soon to be former naval servicewoman)  were forced to testify and many others were included on a witness list that will inevitably be made public one way or the other. They all are suffering obvious damage from their exposure to the public.

Her Casablanca defense - she was shocked to learn that her employees were actually having sex as opposed to providing erotic fantasies - makes you wonder if she received sound legal advice, or simply refused to plead and was irrational in believing she could prevail on this argument.

being said that for what she was convicted of she would probably be sentenced to 5 years NOT 50.  Perhaps you read that she was 52 years old.  But she was convicted awaiting sentencing when this occured.  

And on earlier interviews she stated that if something ever happened to her that they would make look like an accident or suicide.  So personally I don't believe she took her life - I think those high profile men made it look like it.

The legal system in the States is by far the fairest and least corrupt in the world. However, it is a legal system and none are perfect. There is always room for improvement and we should never stop striving to make our system better.

I believe your use of the phrase “forced to testify”—with the emphasis on forced --is indicative of the very marginal status providers are allotted in our society. Uplifting this marginal status is the Sheika’s primary concern. If this is done then the legitimate and illegitimate pressures used to force those in the business to testify in a court of law or commit illegal acts will be lessened. There will be less pain, humiliation and grief. There will be less pressure to bear. There will be less collateral damage.

I believe the DC Madam made 2.5 million in the last full year of operation. I don’t think this type of operation should be labeled minor. Even before her arrest and prosecution, the lady must have been under incredible pressure.

If I’m not mistaken, several of the charges against her were serious felonies that were concerned with racketeering and money laundering. I’m sure she--and those in her employ—were pressured and coerced, and the pressure and coercion came from two sides. On one side, it came from LE and the prosecutorial legal system, but on the other side it came from the predatory, manipulative scum, that are all too common in the escort trade.

It is the latter of these two elements that down grades the escort trade in the eye of the public. It is this perverted, predatory element that gets many well meaning providers trapped and confused. In a myriad of ways many providers become ensnared in the business and find it impossible to leave. For the well meaning provider or the operator of a “fantasy” service this is when the trouble really begins.

I can hardly wait to see the witness list. And,,,
I really liked your post.

PEACE,

Sheika Fatima
[email protected]  




-- Modified on 5/3/2008 3:04:06 PM

-- Modified on 5/3/2008 3:11:45 PM

but my information was a little different with respect to why I labeled her a minor player.

I called her a very minor player  based on the income figures reported. According to the S.F.Chronicle, her business generated “over 2 million over 13 years” or $153,000 per year if you use the 2 million figure. But that’s gross revenue. Surely the girl got at least 60% of the hourly $250 an hour fee so deducting this plus other expenses I’d place the DC Madam’s income at around $50K a year at best.  We have drug dealers in most large cities that make that much in a day. Can’t see the justification for going after   her.

Now if she in fact made 2.5 million a year as you apparently read it would be a different story. At $250 an hour, however, that would be a lot of transactions.

This is a quote from the Chronicle.
[Her attorney is “complaining”]:

“Palfrey's business records include 46 pounds of phone bills of some 15,000 clients of her business, Pamela Martin and Associates, her attorney said. Palfrey originally threatened to sell those records to pay for her defense, but a judge barred her from doing so.

Authorities said Palfrey's alleged prostitution ring involved 132 college-educated women and generated more than $2 million.

Investigators have seized about $1 million worth of real estate, $500,000 in cash and stocks and $100,000 in coins in a civil asset-forfeiture case that is on hold because of the criminal indictment, Sibley said.” [Montgomery Blair Sibley is/was Palfrey’s attorney so I assume that the figures are on the short side.]

Initially, I got my figures from Geraldo of Fox News, but over the last couple of days the story has changed and changed again. I admit those figures were probably inflated. However, there is more money at stake than the figures might indicate.

Now, the focus of the media is on the alleged suicide/s and her list of clients.

Statistical fact: Women rarely hang themselves. In this case there are two. This defies probability. The Sheika does not put much faith in coincidence. The existence of the list and the alleged suicides makes the late Ms. Palfrey a very major player. And, to me, her assets are not small change.

PEACE AND PROSPERITY,

Sheika Fatima
[email protected]



-- Modified on 5/4/2008 3:48:13 PM