Washington Madam May Create The Next Big Washington Scandal

The "Washington Madam", Deborah Palfrey, has threatened to sell or publicly disclose her 13 year "black book" which could implicate thousands in Washington, including members of Congress or others. This may spur the next giant Washington scandal.

Palfrey plead not guilty in a Washington courthouse, however local laws allow the government to seize her home, cash and other property prior to trial, leaving her broke and unable to afford a defense for her racketeering, promotion of prostitution, and other charges.

This is a major problem with government laws that allow the seizing of property before a person has even been convicted of crime. It exacts a penalty when guilt has not been established by a court prior to any actual conviction, and it denies a defendant the use of their own assets to assist in their own defense. On the face of it, all of this would appear to be unconstitutional.

With no real cash assets left because of the government's actions, about the only asset that Palfrey owns is her "black book" of 13 years of clients. This could be sold for a substantial sum of money, maybe even millions. But it could also destroy some in Congress or in major government agencies.

The powerful once head of the House Ways And Means Committee, Wilbur Mills was once destroyed in an embarrassing scandal with a stripper, Fannie Fox. The same danger may exist to members of Congress should the "black book" of Palfrey become public. But likely the selling price may be too high for a major customer to keep quiet, so a major media outlet such as a tabloid magazine or TV show could likely become the owner, and would certainly make any names public, especially of high profile persons.

As many as 10,000 clients are reportedly on this list of clients of the services of the Palfrey business, which she claims operated in a lawful manner, despite government claims or evidence to the contrary.