This panorama photo of the Mark O. Hatfield U. Courthouse, in downtown Portland, was shot with in iPhone 5S. Key suspects in a plot to promote prostitution at eight Portland area strip clubs and hide proceeds from the IRS pleaded guilty Tuesday for their roles in the conspiracy.
Senior U. District Judge Garr M. King accepted the pleas from Kandace Desmarais, 63, and her brother, Gilbert Mace Desmarais, 50, and scheduled them for sentencing on Sept. The Desmaraises are stepchildren of Lawrence G.
Owen , a year-old resident of La Paz, Mexico, who was indicted last week with suspected co-conspirator Gary G. Bryant, 67, of Estacada for their alleged parts in the plot. Government prosecutors accuse the four of taking part in illegal operations at 11 adult entertainment businesses - including such cash-only strip clubs as Tommy's, Sugar Shack, The Landing Strip, Peek-A-Boos and The Oh!
Zone - that were equipped with ATMs. Assistant U. Attorney Seth D. Uram told King that suspects in the case used ATMs to dispense cash to customers knowing that the money would be used in prostitution. The duo face potential sentences of five years each on two federal conspiracy charges that accuse them of defrauding the U. The two are expected to get reduced sentences under the terms of a plea arrangement. IRS criminal investigators raided the businesses and homes of key figures in the alleged conspiracy in June , hauling off a trove of records.
Uram noted in court that the Demaraises had earned the chance for reduced sentences. Ron Hoevet , the lawyer for Gilbert Desmarais, said he had met with his client for the better part of five years. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Published: May.
