Private investigator hands over papers in brothel case
A PRIVATE investigator who claims to have had business dealings with a Scottish woman accused of running a multi-milliondollar prostitution ring in New York has handed over documents to prosecutors about the case.
Anna Gristina, originally from Kirkliston, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is said to have hired Vincent Parco to help her launch a high-end online matchmaking service.
Mr Parco said he first heard of her when he was working on the defence of another accused madam a number of years ago and he was told she might be a useful witness. Although he did not get in touch with her then, he met her in Septem- ber when she said she was seeking his help to verify potential clients’ backg rounds for an online dating site.
Mr Parco said he had handed the documents over after being called in the case, although he insisted he had “nothing to help or hurt” Gristina. He added her arrest had come as “a shock”.
Gristina is in jail in New York and was told she must put up $1 million (£630,000) in cash or a $2m insurance bond to be released before trial. Her former lawyer, Peter Gleason, has said he will put up his $2.5m (£1.6m) flat as insurance.
It was reported by US media at the weekend that a woman who once worked for Gristina has said she was running an escort service as far back as 2004.
The woman was reported as saying Gristina’s escort services catered for “CEOS, dignitaries and people in sensitive positions where discretion is paramount”.
Gristina has denied the charges.