SJC rules that hearings for high-profile clients accused of paying for sex at Mass. brothels must be made public, reports Boston 25 News

Twenty-eight wealthy and well-connected men accused of being customers of an interstate commercial sex ring will have their initial court hearings open to the public, according to a ruling from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The decision affirms a previous ruling from a Cambridge District Court clerk-magistrate to grant public access based on concerns about favoritism and bias due to the prominence of the accused individuals.

The court also upheld the sealing of criminal complaints against the alleged clients until the first show-cause hearings in Cambridge District Court. The Boston-based media outlets that filed to view the complaints were denied access, with the court citing the risk of disclosing erroneous or incomplete information.

Last year, authorities arrested three individuals for running a commercial sex network in Massachusetts and Virginia, where clients paid up to $600 per hour for sex acts. The three have since pleaded guilty to charges, including money laundering to conceal proceeds from the network.

The prostitution ring operated under the guise of offering nude modeling services at upscale studios, with a verification process for interested clients to book appointments. Clients were required to provide personal information including full names, employers, and references.

The clerk magistrate’s decision was met with appeals, but the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling allows for transparency in the legal proceedings surrounding this high-profile case. The case sheds light on the prevalence of illegal activities within privileged circles and underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable regardless of their status.

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