Cecil Suwal was arrested in March 2008, and charged in connection with booking for the Emperors Club VIP, the prostitution ring that former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer admitted to patronizing on March 10.Washington Post: Spitzer to Step Down as N.Y. Governor ( March 13, 2008)
Suwal, age 24, was sentenced to six months in prison on January 30, 2009. Prosecutors had recommended that Suwal serve between 12 and 27 months but the judge disagreed because he felt Suwal was controlled by her boss, Mark Brener.MarketWatch: Spitzer's Madam Draws Light Sentence (January 30, 2009)NY Daily News: Hooker boss in Spitzer prostitute scandal sentenced to six... (January 30, 3009)
Guilty Plea
On June 3, 2008, Suwal's attorney, Alberto Ebanks, said she had agreed to a guilty plea regarding her role in running the Emperors Club VIP. Suwal was expected to plead guilty to a money laundering conspiracy charge and to violating federal prostitution laws.The New York Times: 2nd Plea Near in Prostitution Tied to Spitzer (June 3, 2008)
On May 14, 2008, Temeka Lewis pleaded guilty to prostitution and money laundering charges. Tanya Hollander and Mark Brener also eventually entered guilty pleas in connection with the case.