Washington madam 'sorry' to name clients, vows to reveal more

UNITED STATES: The so-called "DC Madam" accused of running an upscale Washington escort agency said she was "sorry" that a top official had been outed as her client, but vowed thousands more names would be revealed unless charges against her were dropped.

Deborah Jeane Palfrey, who is facing charges of running a 300-dollar-an-hour prostitution service for 13 years, appeared in a Washington court on Monday for a preliminary hearing.

Palfrey denies doing anything illegal through her business Pamela Martin Associates, but has said she has a record of the phone numbers of thousands of customers that could embarrass more than a few of the US capital's high-fliers.

On Friday the head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Randall Tobias, resigned for personal reasons, but ABC news said he stepped down after the network contacted him about using the service.

"Tobias was a customer of my previous business, Pamela Martin Associates," Palfrey confirmed on Monday.

"Allow me to say how genuinely sorry I am for Mr. Tobias, his family and his friends," Palfrey told reporters outside the courtroom.

Just the same, Palfrey promised that her telephone records - all 46 pounds (20 kilograms) of them - would be revealed unless the charges against her were dropped.

Palfrey, 50, appeared in court Monday in a somber mood matched by a dark-blue suit and simple hair style. Her bright red lipstick was the only decorative touch as she sat at the defense table.

Palfrey argued she had no funds available as her three homes and several cars had been seized by the government.

Washington, Tuesday, AFP