Adam Fresco, Crime Correspondent
Enter our Snapshots of Summer photography competition
Emperors Club VIP has many clients around the world but one British-based customer is attracting more attention than most.
Named in documents filed with a US court as “Client 6”, he paid £500 to a prostitute known as Astrid in London on January 12.
The pair met at about 9am at an undisclosed location for about an hour. After the appointment Astrid said that “everything was fine” but Client 6 called the company to say that, while she “was very nice”, “next time he wanted to see someone else”, the documents show.
It is not known if he was just visiting London on business or lives in the capital. Either way, he joins a list of other clients around Europe who are worried that they, too, will be caught up in the FBI investigation.
While existing customers may be worried, any international playboys wishing to use the services of the escort agency while in Europe may be disappointed. Calls to its offices in London, Paris and Zurich are met with a recording from the same sweet-voiced woman: “Please leave your name and number and we will contact you shortly.”
Unfortunately for potential clients, the message goes on to inform them that the tape is full and that no more messages can be taken.
The American offices are also unable to take messages. Either they are extremely busy or a lot of journalists have been ringing since Eliot Spitzer was implicated in a prostitution ring.
The Emperors Club website, now taken down, is said to have boasted that “introducing the most impressive models to leading gentlemen of the world is our expertise ... We act for a select group of educated, refined and successful international clients who give their best in all they do and who, in return, only wish to receive the best. Catering to clients who will not compromise in any area of their life ...”
The high-class escort agency is run with almost military precision and secrecy, something that may have appealed to the Duke of Westminster, who was exposed as an alleged client in the News of the World last year.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said that there was no investigation into Emperors Club, despite its notoriety. It is not illegal to run an escort agency supplying women as companions.
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
In 2008 I would have thought all this type of scandal, more akin to the London of Oscar Wilde, would be non-news !!! Perhaps deep in all our psyche's we all still live in that world.
Ian Payne, WALSALL,