3 charged with running brothels that catered to elected officials, other wealthy clients

Three people have been charged with running a sophisticated commercial sex ring in Massachusetts and Virginia that catered to well-connected clients such as elected officials, military officers and business executives, federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Prosecutors allege the individuals ran a network of brothels in three high-end apartments in Watertown’s Arsenal Yards development and one in North Cambridge. Another two properties were identified in eastern Virginia.

Charged in the case are Han “Hana” Lee, a 41-year-old woman, of Cambridge; James Lee, 68, of Torrance, California; and Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham. They are charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice others to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity.

An attorney for Han Lee declined to comment and an email seeking comment was sent to a lawyer for Junmyung Lee. There was no attorney listed for James Lee in court records, and a message seeking comment was sent to a number listed as a relative.

Prosecutors filed a motion Wednesday to detain James Lee, arguing that he is a flight risk.

The defendants allegedly advertised services on two websites that included pictures of women available that day and details such as their height and weight.

Authorities have not named the people believed to have bought services through the ring, and none of them have been charged. But Acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Josh Levy stressed that the investigation is in the early stages. Roughly 20 clients were interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation, according to court filings. They allegedly used text messages to arrange appointments with the women.

Investigators, in court records, said in one instance, a property manager visited one of the rented units to look into a leak. Afterwards, he allegedly called James Lee to ask who was living in the unit, and Lee claimed it was his daughter. When the manager asked him the daughter's name, he had no answer.

Authorities believe there were possibly hundreds of clients, including government contractors with security clearances, doctors, lawyers, elected officials, military officers, professors and executives at tech companies.

“This commercial sex ring was built on secrecy and exclusivity, catering to a wealthy and well-connected clientele, and business was booming, until today,” Levy said.

With additional reporting by WBUR's Simón Rios