Accused Partner Of Alleged Manhattan 'Madam' Pleads Not Guilty
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The woman who prosecutors say was the partner of accused Manhattan madam Anna Gristina surrendered to authorities and pleaded not guilty Tuesday afternoon.
The attorney for 30-year-old Jaynie Mae Baker said she turned herself in to the Manhattan district attorney and entered a not guilty plea on the charge of promoting prostitution in the third-degree.
Her attorney said a bail package was worked out and that she will be released on $100,000 bond.
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Baker looked the picture of composure Tuesday as she was led in handcuffs to her arraignment. Her attorney, however, said don't be fooled.
"This is a very frightening thing to go through for any person, especially Ms. Baker," Robert Gottlieb told CBS 2's Tony Aiello.
The Manhattan district attorney said Baker helped run a hugely successful brothel out of an Upper East Side apartment building on 78th Street, a business that allegedly amassed millions of dollars providing call girls to rich and powerful clients.
However, Gottlieb said Baker is not what she's been portrayed as. He said she's more interested in the penniless and the powerless.
"To obtain clothing for the poor in India; she's done that in the United States," Gottlieb said. "She's participated in a program in Romania, going to a child's orphanage to help care for those children."
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Gottlieb lashed out at reports Baker was "on the lam." He said she was "on the beach" in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and arranged to fly to Newark shortly after friends told her via Facebook that her picture was all over the news.
Baker has worked as a matchmaker for a company called "VIP Life." Lisa Clampitt is the CEO and told Aiello "Jaynie worked here for only a few months. She's a sweetheart. This is all shocking to me."
"She has been involved in matchmaking, legitimate matchmaking and there's nothing sordid, nothing wrong, nothing illegal," Gottlieb added.
Baker had been wanted by police since Feb. 22 when Gristina was first arrested. Gristina is still behind bars at Rikers Island on $2 million bond.
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