Layla South
11-13-2007, 05:39 AM
In June 2004, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police received a Crime Stoppers tip about SS and a Web-based escort service named www.hushhush.com from a former client, identified as S.Z., according to the court documents. (The records don't say if the initials come from actual names, but they have at times in other cases.)
S.Z. told police about www.hushhush.com. The court documents say he described it as an exclusive prostitution ring catering to affluent clients in Charlotte and Raleigh.
The Web site says the company offers "non-sexual companionship only" to men who are willing to pay an $1,800 membership fee.
"We are a companionship, introduction, (and) dating service only, not responsible for the personal choices between consenting adults 21 years and older," the Web site says.
Martha Shockey-Eckles, a professor at Saint Louis University who specializes in prostitution research, says such wording is common among sophisticated rings because it attempts to protect operators from prosecution.
The hushhush.com site offers short biographies of escorts like "Kelley," described as a Canadian-born registered nurse who loves sunsets and bookstores. "Georgia" describes herself as an aspiring surgeon who's fascinated with science, "particularly the science of the human body."
S.Z. told police about www.hushhush.com. The court documents say he described it as an exclusive prostitution ring catering to affluent clients in Charlotte and Raleigh.
The Web site says the company offers "non-sexual companionship only" to men who are willing to pay an $1,800 membership fee.
"We are a companionship, introduction, (and) dating service only, not responsible for the personal choices between consenting adults 21 years and older," the Web site says.
Martha Shockey-Eckles, a professor at Saint Louis University who specializes in prostitution research, says such wording is common among sophisticated rings because it attempts to protect operators from prosecution.
The hushhush.com site offers short biographies of escorts like "Kelley," described as a Canadian-born registered nurse who loves sunsets and bookstores. "Georgia" describes herself as an aspiring surgeon who's fascinated with science, "particularly the science of the human body."