Ph.D. call girl testifies in Palfrey trial

WASHINGTON, April 10 (UPI) -- Washington prosecutors in the trial of the alleged "D.C. Madam" have called seven ex-prostitutes to the stand, including one who holds a Ph.D.

The seven admitted ex-prostitutes who took the stand Wednesday in Deborah Jeane Palfrey's U.S. District Court trial on racketeering and money-laundering charges said they performed sex acts in exchange for money while under the employ of Palfrey's Pamela Martin & Associates escort service, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

Four of the women testified that Palfrey -- whose lawyers claim she was unaware that her employees were engaged in prostitution -- spoke of prostitution only in ambiguous terms, but there was a tacit agreement that performing sex acts was part of their job description. However, the other three -- including Rhona Reiss, Ph.D. -- said the business owner openly encouraged them to exchange sex with clients for money.

Reiss, who holds a doctorate in occupational therapy and was 56 at the time of her employment with Palfrey's firm, said a document signed by all employees of the firm did not explicitly bar illegal activities, as the defense has contended.

Rather, she testified the document -- which states in part that, "Individuals caught performing illegal activities of any nature will be terminated" -- sent a message to the women in Palfrey's employ: "Don't get caught."