A recent court hearing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, exposed a group of high-profile individuals who were frequenting upscale brothels in the area. Among those named during the hearing was Mark Zhu, who allegedly paid $840 for two hours of unprotected sex with a prostitute, a service known as “bb.” Other alleged johns identified included Kerry Wu, John J. Doran, David LaCava, Boya Zhou, Peter H. MacGillivray, Yihong Zou, Pablo Domingo Maceira, Jonathan P. Lanfear, Pinhao Chao, Patrick Walsh, and radiologist Jason Han.
The men used acronyms in text messages to arrange sexual encounters, with terms like “gfe” for the “girlfriend experience.” They referred to payment for sex as “donations” and were polite but businesslike in their communications. Specific instructions were given for rendezvous, including going to a designated apartment complex and texting upon arrival to be buzzed in.
These men were required to move quickly into the apartment unit and not linger in the hallway. They were also prohibited from making backroom deals with the women to avoid being blacklisted. In total, 12 individuals were named during the hearing, with another 16 expected to be identified in subsequent hearings.
One of the defendants, Jason Han, a radiologic technologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, expressed remorse for his actions. Han’s lawyer emphasized that his client had no prior criminal record and described him as a “young healthcare hero.” Outside the courtroom, anti-exploitation protesters voiced their disapproval of the defendants.
The scandal first came to light in 2023 when three individuals were arrested for operating bordellos in Massachusetts and Virginia. Han Lee, James Lee, and Junmyung Lee were charged with conspiracy to coerce individuals into illegal sexual activity. The trio operated sex houses in various locations, charging customers between $350 and $600 per hour.
The brothels were advertised online as offering photography services with nude Asian models, and customers were subjected to rigorous vetting before booking appointments. The sex workers involved were reportedly exploited and transported between states for the sex ring. The operation allegedly catered to a clientele that included politicians, military officials, government contractors, doctors, professors, and corporate executives.
The federal raid on the brothels revealed extensive documentation of the illegal activities, leading to the arrest and subsequent guilty pleas of the three individuals involved in running the operation. The scandal has drawn attention to the issue of human trafficking and exploitation in the sex industry, prompting calls for greater awareness and enforcement of laws against such practices.
