Cambridge city councilor, other men accused of buying sex through brothel ring appear in court, plead not guilty
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Toner, who has said
'When the government accuses somebody, you're presumed innocent, and the burden of production and persuasion always rests with the government beyond a reasonable doubt,' Flaherty said.
The following men also pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge that carries a maximum sentence of one year in the county House of Correction and/or a $500 fine:
Boya Zhou of West Roxbury allegedly arranged to buy sex in October 2023 and on several other occasions. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. His next court date was set for Aug. 1.
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John Cascarano of Hingham allegedly sought commercial sex in October 2023 and engaged in sex for a fee through the alleged brothel ring 46 times, the prosecutor said. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. His next court date was set for Aug. 1.
James Cusak Jr., of Boston, allegedly arranged to buy sex in March 2023 and engaged in sex for a fee 16 times through the alleged brothel ring, the prosecutor said. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. His next court date was set for July 22.
Mitchell Rubenstein of Chestnut Hill allegedly arranged to buy sex in September 2023 through the alleged brothel ring. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. His next court date was set for July 22.
Paul Grant of Charlestown allegedly agreed to buy sex through the alleged brothel ring in October 2023. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. His next court date was set for July 22.
More men are expected to be arraigned when court resumes at 11 a.m. Friday.
The men were allegedly identified as customers of the brothel ring, which shuttled
The operators of the brothel
The case drew national headlines after prosecutors said the operation's thorough bookkeeping allowed them to identify many of the men who had allegedly paid for sex.
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A protracted legal fight ensued as the men identified as alleged customers asked the state's Supreme Judicial Court
On May 6, lawyers for 25 men accused of being customers asked the court to postpone their arraignments. All were jointly denied by Judge David E. Frank.
Authorities have said that the women working in the brothels were exploited by the ring's operators and the alleged clients. Many were Asian, spoke little English, and in some instances were living in the United States illegally.
During the show-cause hearings that led to the arraignments , Cambridge Police Lieutenant Jarred Cabral described how the brothel ran.
Text exchanges between its operators and alleged clients are quick and businesslike, with 'pleases,' 'thank yous,' and even a 'have a great day.' The men request certain women, often by stage
name, agreeing to spend hundreds of dollars for a 'girlfriend experience' over the course of an hour. They typically called the payment a 'donation,' as is common in the sex trade, Cabral said.
The men were directed to the entrance of an apartment complex and asked to send a text message to be buzzed in. They were not to linger in the hallway, the brothel operators warned; go straight to the room, but if there are other people around, hang back by the stairs or elevator. Once inside, don't make off-the-books deals with the women, or else you will be banned, they were instructed.
This is a developing story.
Nick Stoico can be reached at
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