Anna Gristina Breaks Her Silence From Behind Bars At Rikers Island
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The so-called "soccer mom madam" has broken her silence.
In a television interview from Rikers Island, Anna Gristina claimed she's still behind bars because she's being pressured for information.
However, Gristina maintained she has nothing relevant to say to the Manhattan district attorney, CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported.
Stuck in Rikers since February, Gristina has finally won a reduction in bail and could walk free in days. The mother of four told "The Today Show" her time behind bars has taken a toll on her family.
"For my family, it's been devastating. My husband's having a really hard time holding it together, and my son, the young one, he knows I'm in jail," Gristina said during the interview. "After three months he came to see me here and he cried the whole time, and begged to stay with me."
Gristina refused to answer direct questions about the single count of promoting prostitution she faces.
In a filing this week, her lawyers said the DA has pressed her for information on several alleged "Johns," including a wealthy financier with interests in real estate and pro sports, a member of a politically prominent family in Manhattan, a prominent international banker and a prominent New York lawyer.
Gristina said she repeatedly told prosecutors she can't help.
"And I have nothing to give them. That's why I'm still here. I have nothing to give them," she said.
Gristina's husband, Kelvin Gorr, is trying to raise $20,000 for a bail bondsman, who would then post $250,000 for Gristina's release.
A credible source told CBS 2 Gristina has a so-called "black book" and her husband has contacted several men in it, asking for financial help, but few, if any, are stepping up to help spring Gristina from Rikers or pay for her legal defense.
Gristina has asked a judge to dismiss the charge against her, claiming she's the victim of "vindictive or selective prosecution."
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