Zumba Prostitution Scandal: Mark Strong, business partner of alleged prostitute Alexis Wright, faces trial

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: 911 ,; Daily Blotter

Mark Strong Sr., right, sits with his attorney Dan Lilley, left, during his arraignment Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 in Portland, Maine on 59 charges, including promotion of prostitution and violation of privacy in connection with a Kennebunk Zumba dance studio. Strong Jr. entered a plea of not guilty. (AP Photo/Joel Page)

/ Joel Page

(AP) ALFRED, Maine -- A judge in Maine has refused to dismiss charges against the business partner of a Zumba instructor charged with running a prostitution ring from her dance studio.

PICTURES: Zumba instructor accused of prostitution

The judge Wednesday rejected Mark Strong Sr.'s motion to dismiss.

The Portland Press Herald reports Strong is now scheduled to go on trial Jan. 22 on charges of promotion of prostitution, violation of privacy and conspiracy to commit those crimes.

The 57-year-old Thomaston businessman is accused of conspiring with Alexis Wright, whom authorities say ran a prostitution operation out of her Zumba studio in Kennebunk.

Strong's attorney filed the motion to dismiss on the grounds that authorities failed to turn over evidence to the defense as legally required; and that investigators did not provide proper evidence in seeking warrants to search the studio.

Neither the defense attorney nor prosecutors commented on the decision.

Complete coverage of the Zumba Prostitution Scandal on Crimesider