 "The brothel ring, which operated from 2020 to November 2023, targeted well-connected clients including politicians, company executives, military officers. Image used for representative purpose/Reuters")
A Massachusetts woman accused of operating a high-end brothel network with prominent clients in the state and Washington, DC, suburbs pleaded guilty in federal court Friday (September 27).
Han Lee, 42, and two co-defendants were charged with conspiracy to persuade individuals to travel across state lines for prostitution and money laundering.
Lee initially entered a not guilty plea but changed it during Friday’s court appearance. She remains in custody and faces up to 25 years in prison for the two felony charges.
James Lee of Torrance, California, and Junmyung Lee of Dedham, Massachusetts, were also indicted in connection with the brothel network.
Operation catered to elite clients
Authorities allege the brothel ring, which operated from 2020 to November 2023, targeted well-connected clients including politicians, company executives, military officers, lawyers, and professors.
Prosecutors have not publicly named any of the buyers, and none have been charged, though some have appealed to keep their identities private. Acting Massachusetts US Attorney Josh Levy said prosecutors are committed to holding both those involved in running the operation and those who fueled demand accountable.
The brothels were located in rented high-end apartments in Massachusetts and Virginia, including in Watertown and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Tysons and Fairfax, Virginia.
The operation advertised through websites posing as nude photography services, where men paid between $350 and $600 per hour for sexual services.
Hidden proceeds and recruitment
Prosecutors allege that Lee concealed more than $1 million in proceeds by converting cash into money orders and using other methods to disguise the income.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsShe also recruited women to work in the brothels, paying her associate, Junmyung Lee, up to $8,000 a month to handle bookings and bring women to the brothels.
Han Lee maintained that she did not control the women but admitted to persuading them to travel across state lines for prostitution. Prosecutors said the women were not criminally charged and were considered victims in the case.
Authorities gathered evidence from witness testimony, physical surveillance, and electronic communications, as well as ledgers and phones seized from the brothel locations.
According to court documents, the defendants created house rules to ensure the women kept a low profile in the buildings where the brothels operated.
Client verification system
The brothel operation required clients to undergo a verification process before booking appointments. Clients were asked to provide personal information, including full names, phone numbers, employers, and references.
The defendants also kept separate phone numbers for each brothel, used to send clients menus of available women and services along with directions to the locations, investigators said.
Han Lee’s sentencing is scheduled for December 20.
With inputs from agencies