D.C. Madam Cites National Security

D.C. Madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey is claiming a state secrets privilege because she provided services to Muslims, Carol Leonnig reports.

The woman accused of being the D.C. Madam now argues that the fact that Muslim men used her elite, Washington-based escort service before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks might have played a role in the government’s effort to prosecute her.

Deborah Jeane Palfrey says she might need to divulge classified information that has sensitive national security implications — perhaps including the identities of Middle Eastern customers — to defend herself against the charges. She is asking a federal judge for a hearing behind closed doors to discuss the information as it relates to the government’s charges.

Prosecutors, who have charged Palfrey with running an illegal prostitution ring in the District from 1993 to 2006, have declined to comment on Palfrey’s newest claims. Previously, Palfrey unsuccessfully argued that the attorney general needed to appoint a special counsel to investigate her case because the Justice Department might be covering up information that former prosecutors were customers of her escort service.

You’ve got to hand it to her for creativity. “Jihad me at Hello,” indeed.

And what’s up with the “alleged” and “accused” business? Palfrey is making no bones about the fact that she ran a call girl ring. Indeed, her various arguments concede that openly.

FILED UNDER: Blogosphere, Uncategorized, , , , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Dave Schuler says:

    Is she making this claim or are her attorneys making this claim? Is she still being represented by Montgomery Blair Sibley? Frivolous Proceedings ‘R Us.

  2. Matt Janovic says:

    Hey Dave, are you a cop? ;0)My research into Ms. Palfrey’s phone records are turning-up some pretty ugly material–most roads lead to San Diego and SAIC. You might want to do some real research before you post something so frivolous yourself.