Warning to Sen. Vitter: DC Madam Case Not Over?
Maybe Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) isn't completely off the hook when it comes to the late "D.C. Madam," Deborah Jean Palfrey. And other Washington Johns who used the late Palfrey's escort service and whose names remained below the radar screen may want to find a nice hiding place.
Palfrey's civil attorney, Montgomery Blair Sibley, sent an e-mail to reporters today claiming that since Palfrey, who was found dead of an apparent suicide on May 1, is now deceased, the judge in the case is required to dismiss criminal charges against her.
"The dismissal of the criminal case lifts the stay of the civil forfeiture of Jeane's seized assets -- which total over $1.5 million -- and that civil case will now proceed," Sibley wrote. (Note: Sibley spells Palfrey's name as "Jeane," though police who found her body at a trailer park in Florida on May 1 say her name on her driver's license was spelled "Jean.")
What all of this means, according to Sibley, is that the action "could ultimately result in a complete re-trial of the matters raised in the criminal case with the significant difference that the rules of civil procedure would allow broad discovery of information that the government was able to block from use in the criminal matter. That information includes, among other data, the names of 855 customers of the Jeane's escort service and their telephone numbers saved for -- but oddly not used -- in the criminal trial and heretofore never publicly revealed which are presently in the custody of the undersigned."
Keep in mind that Sibley's law license has been suspended in Florida and the District of Columbia. Sibley is awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court as soon as today or tomorrow on his appeal of the rulings. But if what he says is true, this could mean -- and we should stress could mean -- that unnamed Johns may be subject to public scrutiny. And Vitter, who has largely escaped political fallout from his connection to Palfrey's former escort service when he was a member of the House, could face further unwanted media attention.
"Everybody is on the table," Sibley told us via telephone, "to be subpoenaed or examined before trial under oath." He says he kept the names of more than 800 people a secret because "you always want a surprise witness at trial." He declined to comment on whether any are public officials or high-profile names.
Sibley says a "status conference" is set for next Tuesday, June 17 at the U.S. District Courthouse in Washington. He is seeking, on behalf of Palfrey's estate - if he's still able to practice law in the District - to recoup Palfrey's assets seized by the government. Sibley says he assumes Palfrey's mother, Blanche Palfrey, will control the estate.
Palfrey was found guilty of prostitution-related charges of racketeering and money laundering on April 15. She faced up to 55 years in prison and was free pending a July 24 sentencing when her body was found in a shed behind her mother's mobile home.
By Mary Ann Akers |
June 9, 2008; 1:12 PM ET
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Posted by: baata | June 9, 2008 1:35 PM
We need to see the names as part of the vetting of our congress critters from both parties,,,,This should see the light of day, Peace
Posted by: YesIcan | June 9, 2008 2:00 PM
How many times is Ms. Akers going to beat this dead horse?
Akers is now reduced to relying on an attorney who was FIRED by Palfrey in her criminal trial. An attorney who, in all liklihood, will not represent ANYONE in DC (or in Florida, for that matter) because his license to practice has been suspended.
"But if what he says is true, this could mean -- and we should stress could mean -- that unnamed Johns may be subject to public scrutiny."
And if he's full of it (which is true more often than not), what does that mean? It could mean--and I should stress could mean--that Ms. Akers should find another subject (other than David Vitter) to obsess over.
Posted by: stonhinged | June 9, 2008 4:57 PM
please keep harping on David Vitter, anything to get the two faced adulterer out of office will be appreciated down here, especially after we just found out he colluded with Karl Rove to unjustly blame Gov Blanco for the federal response and failure after Katrina
Posted by: louisiana voter | June 9, 2008 6:25 PM
I thought Mr Sibley was no longer her attorney.
Posted by: Noisemaker | June 9, 2008 7:09 PM
Mr. Sibley is not only ineligible to file anything in the district court, he doesn't even have a client in the case. Why is his e-mail news?
http://overlawyered.com/2008/06/suspended-montgomery-blair-sibley-still-getting-press-coverage/
Posted by: Ted Frank | June 9, 2008 8:23 PM
So Vitter might get his money back?
Posted by: Anonymous | June 9, 2008 10:23 PM
Why would the government block the names? Could it be that McCain, in addition to having sex with lobbyists while calling Cindy "a cu%&", also enjoyed the "straight talk" of an escort or two? That is what one hears in GOP circles...
Posted by: GOP Street Against McBush | June 10, 2008 1:25 AM
why did spitzer split while vitter sits?
i herd about mccrackkain and that lobbyist lady, too. how many times has he been "married?"
her evidence should be public info, and the perps exposted.
Posted by: bloggod | June 10, 2008 1:42 AM
No matter while side of the isle things falls the names should be released and charges filed if laws have been broken.
If this were you or I caught up in this, we would be arrested and prosicuted.
Posted by: mterpen | June 10, 2008 9:22 AM
IF HILLARY CLINTON IS SMART SHE WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE OBAMA LOOSE THIS ELECTION BECAUSE SHE CAN BE PRESIDENT IN 4 YEARS FROM NOW.IF MCCAIN WINS THIS ELECTION HE IS VERY OLD HE WILL NOT WIN SECOND TERM AND THIS IS HILLARY'S CHANCE.DON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT HILLARY THIS NOT ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANY MORE THIS IS PERSONAL..!!!I WILL PERSONALY VOTE FOR MCCAIN ,BUT I WILL LIKE TO SEE HILLARY IN 4 YEARS FROM NOW.NO WAY OBAMANIA..!!I THINK THAT IT WILL BE BETTER IF HILLARY RUNS FOR VICE PRESIDENT ON MCCAIN SIDE..!!
Posted by: Tim | June 10, 2008 9:25 AM
Is it just me, or is there a certain irony to the "Mattress Warehouse" ad that accompanies todays DC Madam post?
Posted by: JB | June 10, 2008 10:36 AM
Where's Larry Flynt now when we need him.
Posted by: Californiacateur | June 10, 2008 12:22 PM
Yes, this is all very strange: counsel Sibley is an attorney without a client, yet here he is again dredging-up this story. I cannot say it's disappointing to have the "Johns" in the spotlight--possibly forever--but if Blanche Palfrey doesn't want him on the case, that's it.
The last anyone knew, Preston Burton is representing the Estate of the late Deborah Jeane Palfrey. FYI: Jeane wanted to be addressed with the "e-spelling" of her name in newsletters and missives. I disagree with everyone who stated this story is over. It's far from over, and has likely only just begun.
Oh yes, there will be book deals, documentaries, and movie rights...
Posted by: K Street Follies | June 10, 2008 4:20 PM
First thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers
Posted by: Anonymous | June 10, 2008 5:19 PM
@ mterpen
Did "Hooked on Phonics" fail you or did you fail it?
Posted by: Buckaroo | June 10, 2008 5:42 PM
When examining the worlds oldest profession what is it that amazes so many people when a cross section of males are interesred in sex for sex's sake? Come on folks stop running everyones life...don't you have anything else to do? RonG
Posted by: RonG | June 10, 2008 7:24 PM
Buckaroo, it's hooked on fonics you dumbfukk
Posted by: Anonymous | June 10, 2008 7:57 PM
To the anonymous retort, replete with its own mistakes, I rest my case!
Posted by: Buckaroo | June 10, 2008 9:04 PM
Well DC is home to $16 million pants, so disbarment in another state shouldn't be an issue.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 10, 2008 9:55 PM
To Tim...6/10/08.. you are a crazy s o b.We cannot afford 4 more years of Republicans......can you pay $20 a gal for gas, or more.......they are making hay on us and you dumb ones get taken in....please just don't vote, you are too ignorant.
Posted by: RATFACE | June 11, 2008 2:49 PM
RATFACE, very appropriate name.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 11, 2008 5:00 PM
I will bet that Obama is on the list.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 12, 2008 2:10 PM
Weren't the real money launderers the clients who billed their companies or the US taxpayers under miscellaneous T&E, legislative research, or charitable expense accounts? Why aren't their carcasses in jail or lying in trailer park sheds? Why so much press attention to some demises and hardly any to this?
Posted by: jkoch | June 12, 2008 4:55 PM
I had heard some time ago, that Chandra levy worked for palfrey,? dont know if thats true,but i do remember that the her murder case was never solved. ??
Posted by: PAT | June 16, 2008 8:57 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Oh please, oh please, oh please release those names. There's nothing like a good sex scandal. Is it too much to wish for codes designating their "preferences"?