Prostitutes in N.Y. sex-trafficking case testify pimps treated them well
(CBS) NEW YORK - Prostitutes in a New York City sex-trafficking case testified on Thursday that their pimps treated them well, allowing them to live as "wife-in-laws" in Pennsylvania by day and commute to Manhattan for work by night, reported CBS New York.
The station reported that prosecutors maintain that the sex-workers were forced into prostitution by a father and son who threatened to beat them, withhold money and called the women "animals."
Vincent George Sr. and Vincent George Jr. are on trial for sex-trafficking and money laundering, among other charges. While the suspects have admitted to promoting prostitution, they pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, said CBS New York.
"What I don't understand is why people refuse to understand that some women want to be in this lifestyle. This is what they always wanted to do and they willingly entered that lifestyle," the defendants' lawyer, Howard Greenberg, said in court. He described one of the women as a "happy hooker," and said, "Show me one of those girls who is the worse for wear," according to the station.
The prostitutes told the judge that they lived in big houses, had nice cars, were taken on vacations to Florida and received plenty of physical attention from their pimps, said CBS New York.
"I would say that I make my own choices," said one of the prostitutes, according to the station. "I am not a dumb person. I know what I'm doing."
The prosecution stated that the prostitutes made half-a-million dollars per year for the Georges but only kept a few dollars a night for themselves, reported CBS New York.
The station said prosecuting attorneys produced one recording of a wiretapped phone call where George Jr. angrily demanded money from one of his girls.
"Yes, sir," she replied.
According to the station, prosecutors said the Georges used a music recording company and a livery car service to launder millions of dollars.
Bridgette Carr, the director of the Human Trafficking Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School, said that it is not uncommon for prostitutes to stand by their pimps, reported CBS New York. She said that for many sex-trafficking victims, the attention that they receive from their pimps is the only love they've ever experienced and many times, they are willing to do anything to maintain the relationship.