Prostitution Trial

The Idaho Statesman has been reporting on a trial in Boise. A local club owner, Chris Teague, has been charged with "four counts of accepting the earnings of prostitutes." In addition to the strip clubs, Teague ran an escort service. He booked the gals with clients, and charged the gals for that service. I guess his fee would be paid from earnings of prostitutes. Several of the gals have testified about having sex with the clients, and even with Teague. The prosecution rested today.

I expect the defense to be pretty stiff. The witnesses testifying against Teague (the ones reported in the Statesman, anyway) all appear to have, uh, checkered pasts. One testified about how she stole money from Teague, and being prostitutes, they testified about being prostitutes. One cut a deal with the prosecution in exchange for testimony.

But to the point, the Statesman published an article today under the headline "Woman says she had sex with Teague's former lawyer."

Wallace's book of appointments with escort service clients was displayed to the jury and discussed at length Monday. One entry in the book listed a client named "Bill." The word "attorney" listed next to the name; an address for the client also was listed. The attorney testified on Monday but during his testimony said, "I have no desire to testify in this case."

I wonder why the Statesman made the headline about the lawyer, but then did not name him (or her, I guess). Clearly the reporter knows who it is. Why draw attention to it then not report it? The prosecution elicited the testimony to show "that she had sex with Teague's former attorney in exchange for a reduction in some of the money she owed her boss." The Statesman has not named any of the witnesses, either, which is more understandable.

There was also this oddly phrased bit about Boise Police Det. Matt Bryngelson, one of the investigators.

Bryngelson said he had to expose himself to the escort as part of the investigation, to not reveal his identity.

He had to expose himself in order to avoid being exposed? Expose himself? What part of himself? What's that about? And what if he gets an STD? That'd be a work comp claim, right?