DC Madam with links to Senators found guilty

By Tracy E Gilchrist • April 16, 2008 - 10:35

Prominent players tied to Palfrey's company via phone records include Senator David Vitter.

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Once considered a viable running mate for Republican Presidential hopeful Senator John McCain, a federal jury on Tuesday found 'D.C. Madam' Deborah Jeane Palfrey guilty of money laundering and racketeering for running a prostitution ring.

Throughout the trial, Palfrey, 52, maintained that her company, Pamela Martin and Associates escort service, provided legal escort services that catered to adult fantasies from 1993 to 2006.

Palfrey, wearing a grey suit and with clasped hands, showed little emotion when the jury, following eight hours of deliberation, handed down the guilty verdict that carries with it a maximum 55-year prison sentence, to be determined at her sentencing July 24th.

Former employees of Palfrey's company, including 13 call girls and several clients, provided four days of often titillating testimony at the trial.

But Palfrey's defence attorney Preston Burton said she had no knowledge of any sexual escapades.

"My client did not have an intent to provide illegal activity," Burton told jurors during closing arguments on Monday.

Prominent players tied to Palfrey's company via phone records, Senator David Vitter and Randall L. Tobias, who resigned as deputy secretary of state after admitting he'd used Palfrey's service for massages, were on the original witness list, although neither was called to testify.

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