ALFRED, Maine - A high-profile prostitution scandal
featuring sex videos, adultery, exhibitionism and more than 100 clients drew to
a close Friday when Alexis Wright, a Zumba fitness instructor who turned her
Maine studio into a brothel, was sentenced to 10 months in jail.
Wright was sentenced under a plea agreement on 20 counts
including prostitution, conspiracy, tax evasion and theft by deception.
Justice Nancy Mills extended wishes for success after the
sentence was imposed.
"Based on what you have to say and what I know about
you from your attorney, I know that you will succeed when you're released and
that you will prevail. I wish you success," Mills said.
Wright's attorney said the defendant had a difficult
childhood, witnessing domestic violence and suffering sexual abuse, before she
met Mark Strong, her eventual business partner. She said Strong used her
background to manipulate her.
Addressing the judge through tears, Wright said she felt
relief when police raided her business on Feb. 12, 2012, because she wanted
out. She said she intends to work when she's released to help other women in
similar situations.
"In my eyes I'm free. I free from this. And I have an
incredible amount of strength that I knew was in me somewhere. Now that I have
the strength I want to encourage others to come forward. I want them to know
that there's at least one person out there who'll believe their story, no matter
how crazy it seems," she told the judge.
"It's my intention to stand up for what is right. When
I'm out, I'm going to pursue helping people fight through situations that are
similar to mine. I'm optimistic that something good will come out of
this."
Afterward, she was led from court to begin serving her
sentence.
The 30-year-old Wright was accused of conspiring with an
insurance business owner to run a prostitution business in which she videotaped
clients without their knowledge and kept detailed records over an 18-month
period indicating she made $150,000 tax-free. She also collected more than
$40,000 in public assistance.
The scandal in the seaside town of Kennebunk, known for its
sea captain's mansions, beaches and New England charm, became a sensation
following reports that Wright had at least 150 clients, some of them prominent.
So far, those who have been charged include a former mayor, a high school
hockey coach, a minister, a lawyer and a firefighter.
Wright was originally charged with 106 counts. All the
counts in the plea agreement were misdemeanors, including three counts relating
to welfare and tax fraud that were reduced from felonies.
Under the agreement, prosecutors will seek restitution of
$57,280.54. Prosecutors say Wright cooperated with prosecutors and spared the
state an expensive trial.
Her business partner, Strong, 57, of Thomaston, was
convicted of 13 counts related to promotion of prostitution and was sentenced
to 20 days in jail. The married father of two, who has acknowledged having an
affair with Wright, was originally charged with 59 counts.
It came as little surprise that Wright opted to avoid
standing trial by pleading guilty because evidence against her was overwhelming
in Strong's trial, with jurors watching a video of her engaging in sex with a
client who left $250, which she pocketed.
Prosecutors say paid sex happened in her studio, apartment
and an office, where tenants complained about moaning and groaning.
Electronic evidence was plentiful because the two kept in
touch via text, email and Skype, which Wright used to send a live video stream
of sex acts to Strong. Videos also showed them speaking openly of ledgers,
payments and scheduling.
Evidence unsealed after the trial indicated electronic
exchanges in which Wright talked about the business goals: nine clients a week,
45 clients a month. They also openly discussed scheduling, insurance payments,
her sexy outfits and clients' preferences. She even appeared to seek advice
from Strong after encountering an unhappy client.
Business was running smoothly before it came to an abrupt
end.
"I feel like this is going to be a good week,"
Wright wrote to Strong two days before the arrival of detectives with search warrants
on Feb. 14, 2012.
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