Zumba instructor Alexis Wright gets out of jail early

Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The fitness instructor convicted of running a prostitution ring out of her Maine Zumba studio was released early from jail Saturday after serving six months of her 10-month sentence.

Alexis Wright, 29, was convicted of 14 counts of engaging in prostitution, one count of promotion of prostitution and two counts of theft by deception and state income tax evasion in a case of a small-town scandal becoming a national sensation.

At her sentencing, Wright told the court she had been manipulated by her business partner, Mark Strong, for whom she took video of her appointments with clients to Strong could watch. He was convicted of 12 counts of promotion of prostitution and one count of conspiracy to promote prostitution and was sentenced to 20 days in prison.

All told, some 68 people around Kennebunk, Maine were charged with engaging in prostitution, including a former mayor and a local minister.

Wright's Zumba studio was raided by Maine State Police and DEA officials in February 2012 after receiving a tip that the dancing at the studio was of the less-than-legal kind. Ultimately, more than 13,000 Skype call snapshots were found on Strong's computer.

In addition to her jail time, Wright was ordered to pay $57,000 in restitution and $1,000 in fines. She was released from York County Jail for good behavior.

[Bangor Daily News]