Maine prostitution ring trial begins

PORTLAND – A Kittery lawyer accused of running a prostitution ring and conspiring to launder the millions of dollars in profits it generated went on trial Monday in U.S. District Court.

Eight jurors and four alternates were selected last week to hear the case of Gary Reiner, a 54-year-old former chairman of the Kittery Town Council who was described by friends and colleagues as a respected lawyer and a family man.

The prosecution alleges that Reiner ran the Danish Health Club, a massage parlor where women were brought in from out of state to work as prostitutes. Reiner is accused of negotiating with pimps, writing ads for an adult entertainment guide and even working the front desk.

The trial is expected to continue for two weeks. If convicted, Reiner faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Five other defendants in the case have pleaded guilty, including the woman who maintained the club’s financial books, the club’s former manager, a woman who allegedly worked there as a prostitute, and the club itself.

The prosecution has said that the charges go beyond the ordinary prostitution case.

“This is the largest money-laundering conspiracy in a number of years, if not the history of the District of Maine,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Dilworth told the court in May.

Court documents show that during a raid of the Danish Health Club in June 2004, a naked man wearing a condom was found with an attendant. Other evidence includes condoms, lubricants and financial records.

The club remained open for 20 years despite police scrutiny.

Kittery Police Chief Edward Strong said in an affidavit that his department received various complaints over the years about alleged prostitution there, but police were unable to gather enough evidence to justify charges.