As reported by the Washington Post, and a large number of other news outlets, Jaynie Mae Baker has been charged with a low-level felony count of promoting prostitution, following behind the arrest of her employer, alleged madam Anna Gristina.
Baker, known as a matchmaking recruiter to Gristina’s well-moneyed New York brothel, turned herself in on March 13.
In the courtroom, filled with reporters and photographers, Baker left on a $100,000 bond.
Baker, 30, pleaded not-guilty to the same charge that Gristina faced: a single count of promoting prostitution. However prosecutors, in an ongoing investigation, claim that there may be more to the case. After five years of investigations, Gristina has alleged that some of her contacts – besides the power brokers she provided prostitutes to – are in law enforcement.
Headlines all over New York have been given over to Gristina and Baker since February, following Gristina’s arrest. During the same time, Baker was said to have been on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, according to her lawyer Robert Gottlieb, and not running from the law.
But prior to her Mexico vacation, Baker traveled to California to allegedly comfort a sister that is divorcing, causing her to be away from New York longer.
A week ago Baker’s friends reported to her that news media were hanging outside of her apartment and looking for her. Baker then contacted Gottlieb, who in turn contacted the prosecutors. Gottlieb said that his client was flying back on March 10 and was all set to turn herself in.
Gottlieb said, ““There was never any question of her coming back to face these charges.”
Gottlieb further claimed that his client is not a reputed madam working for a brothel, but is, in fact, a hard-working volunteer and matchmaker.
Recently Baker was listed as a recruiter for VIP Life – a high-end matchmaking service. Founder L.C. said that in reality, Baker, working as a freelancer only, never referred a client and was never paid. Baker had been associated with VIP for six months.
V.P., a private investigator employed by Gristina, claims that Baker worked with Gristina on Gristina’s matchmaking business. The business, allegedly only in the planning stage, required that Baker attend social networking meetings. Baker and Gristina, according to V.P., have know each other for some time and meet up at many charitable events.
V.P.’s job for Gristina is to check into the backgrounds of possible clients for the matchmaking service.
Gottlieb said that there was “nothing sordid, nothing illegal” in what Baker had been working on. He also mentioned some of the charitable work that Baker has been involved in: working in New York soup kitchens, going with priests to Romania to help in an orphanage and getting clothing to the poor in India.
Gottlieb added, “Ms. Baker is a wonderful, good-hearted, decent young woman ... a compassionate, caring and very socially conscious young woman.”
However, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Charles Linehan stated in court, “We have had numerous informants over the years who have, at times, discussed Ms. Baker’s role in the (prostitution) operation.”
Both women face up to a seven year prison sentence if convicted.
If you have been charged with a crime you must contact a criminal defense attorney to help you avoid excessive bails or a lengthy prison sentence.
