A Massachusetts woman, Han Lee, 42, pleaded guilty on Friday to charges related to operating a high-end brothel network in the greater Boston area and the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Lee’s illegal operation catered to a wealthy clientele that included politicians, corporate executives, military officers, and legal professionals.
In a federal court in Boston, Lee confessed to conspiring to persuade and entice primarily Asian women to travel from other locations to Massachusetts and Virginia for prostitution. Additionally, she admitted to committing money laundering as part of her illicit business activities. Her guilty plea makes her the first among three individuals charged in November concerning the sex ring that was reportedly operating out of apartment complexes in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as Fairfax and Tysons, Virginia.
During her court appearance, Lee emphasized that while she managed the prostitution ring, she did not forcibly control the women involved. Speaking through a Korean interpreter, she stated, “I simply want to emphasize that I did not control the women.”
Lee faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison when she is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20. Another defendant in the case, Junmyung Lee, is expected to plead guilty on October 30, while the third defendant, James Lee, has pleaded not guilty but is currently negotiating a potential resolution to his charges.
According to prosecutors, clients paid between $350 and $600 per hour for sexual encounters with women featured on two websites that masqueraded as professional photography services, which served as a front for Han Lee’s brothel operations that began around 2020. Authorities have estimated that the network had hundreds of customers, including elected officials, pharmaceutical and technology executives, military personnel, and professionals across various fields.
While no clients have been publicly identified, federal prosecutors have pursued local authorities in Massachusetts to file potential state-level charges against 28 alleged clients. In December, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy mentioned that these cases were complicated by litigation before the Massachusetts Supreme Court regarding media access to “show cause” hearings, typically closed to the public, which would determine whether there is probable cause to charge the individuals with misdemeanors.
In Virginia, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office reviewed referrals related to potential client charges but ultimately found insufficient evidence to pursue cases under the state’s solicitation laws, as stated by spokesperson Laura Birnbaum.
The outcome of this case raises significant concerns about the impact of illegal prostitution networks on communities and the complex interplay between law enforcement and high-profile clientele.
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