Portland pair convicted in prostitution case

PORTLAND — A Portland couple accused of operating an interstate prostitution ring were found guilty Friday of all 11 counts against them and a judge ordered that they remain in jail while they await sentencing.

A U.S. District Court jury of 11 men and one woman deliberated for just over two hours before returning its verdicts against Joseph M. Sabatino, 42, and his wife, Diane, 25.

Neither defendant spoke to reporters as they were escorted from the courthouse to the Cumberland County Jail. Judge Jose Fuste revoked the couple’s bail, indicating there was a risk that they might not show up for sentencing.

“I don’t want to take any chances,” the judge said.

Applauding the outcome, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thimi Mina told reporters, “I think the jury’s verdict speaks louder than anything I can say.”

Defense lawyers, who presented no evidence at the trial, indicated that the verdicts would be appealed.

Sabatino’s lawyer, Robert Napolitano, said jurors obviously believed the testimony of former employees of the couple’s Classic Escort and Massage service in Westbrook.

James Bushell, representing Mrs. Sabatino, expressed surprise at the outcome.

“I expected her to be acquitted. I didn’t think the case against her was that strong at all. Probably what happened was a spillover effect, because of the nature of the evidence against Joe Sabatino,” Bushell said.

During the two days of testimony, ex-prostitutes described being sent to locations in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts to service clients, permitting them to pay in cash or with American Express cards.

The government said records seized in a raid at Classic Escort’s offices revealed that the business took in $145,000 during a 2 1/2-month period.

No sentencing date was set.

Sabatino faces a maximum of 55 years and $2.7 million in fines on all 10 counts, including conspiracy and transporting people across state lines for purposes of prostitution.

Mrs. Sabatino, tried and convicted on a single count of conspiracy, faces up to five years and a $250,000 fine.