A Massachusetts woman has pleaded guilty to operating a high-end brothel network that served a wealthy clientele, including politicians and corporate executives. Han Lee appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday, admitting to charges related to her role in conspiring to persuade Asian women to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia for prostitution, as well as committing money laundering.
Lee, 42, was the first of three individuals charged in November to acknowledge wrongdoing. She operated the network out of apartment complexes in Cambridge, Watertown, Fairfax, and Tysons, Virginia. Lee faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison when she is sentenced on December 20.
While acknowledging her involvement in illegal activities, Lee maintained that she did not force any women into sex work. Another defendant, Junmyung Lee, is scheduled to plead guilty on October 30, while a third defendant, James Lee, has pleaded not guilty but is in negotiations to resolve his case.
Prosecutors revealed that clients paid between $350 and $600 per hour for sexual encounters, which were arranged through two websites that advertised nude models as a cover for the prostitution business. This operation reportedly began in 2020 and attracted a customer base that included elected officials, military officers, and various professionals.
Despite the high-profile nature of the clientele, no specific clients have been publicly identified. Following the case’s announcement, federal prosecutors sought local referrals for state-level charges against 28 alleged clients in Massachusetts. However, these cases are currently embroiled in litigation concerning the media’s access to hearings that determine whether there is probable cause for charges.
In Virginia, prosecutors also received referrals but concluded they lacked sufficient evidence to charge any clients under the state’s solicitation laws.
By: Montana Newsroom staff
