An appeal by a lawyer stopped the release of the names of customers in Zumba studio scandal. Police planned to reveal the names Friday, following the decision of a state judge allowing it. But, Stephen Schwartz, a lawyer for two of the men believed to be on the list, asked a judge on Thursday to issue a preliminary injunction preventing the release of the names. Schwartz is also asking permission to take the case to superior court.
In connection with the case, Alexis Wright, 29, a fitness instructor, is being accused of running an illegal prostitution ring out of the Pura Vida fitness studio in upscale Kennebunk, Maine, which she owns, and secretly taping her sexual liaisons. Both she and her alleged partner, Mark Strong, have pleaded not guilty to a combined 165 counts of prostitution, invasion of privacy, and tax evasion.
Local police say they have over 100 hours of video and close to 14,000 screen shots seized from Wright’s office, showing her engaging in sex with paying clients, reported the Associated Press.
According to documents filed with the court, Wright came under scrutiny from local authorities after her landlord, Bee Nguyen, received complaints of odd noises emanating from inside her office. Nguyen said that tenants also reported that a large number of cars would frequently park behind the studio during the day and at night.
Kennebunk police have been issuing summons to Wright's johns and originally planned to release the first names of suspected clients on Friday.
Based on that information, Kennebunk police have been begun issuing summonses to Wright's johns on misdemeanor charges of engaging a prostitute. The first names were to be released Friday in police activity reports that are made public every other week, said Lt. Anthony Burpee.
