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Naval officer faces dismissal after testifying in madam trial
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A Navy officer who taught a leadership and ethics course at the Naval Academy faces dismissal after she testified Thursday that she moonlighted as an escort for the so-called D.C. Madam.
Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca C. Dickinson, 38, admitted in federal court Thursday that she performed sex acts with men in exchange for money as a call girl for Deborah Jean Palfrey from October 2005 until April 2006.
At the time, Dickinson was a food service manager at the academy’s Annapolis campus, Navy officials said. She also taught one class, Naval Leadership, for one semester.
Dickinson, who was placed on leave Tuesday, used the alias “Renee.” She testified that she charged $275 a visit and gave half of it to Palfrey.
“It was getting harder for me to do it,” Dickinson testified. “I didn’t like it.”
Dickinson, who was transferred from the Naval Academy to the Naval Supply Corps School in May, was placed on leave after she gave a statement, said Navy spokesman Capt. Jack Hanzlik.
Federal officials informed the Navy in May 2007 that Dickinson had been implicated in its investigation into the high-profile prostitution and racketeering case, Hanzlik said. But the Navy didn’t know the specifics of her involvement and deferred to the Department of Justice to investigate the case.
On Tuesday, Dickinson gave an official statement to the Navy explaining her connection to Palfrey and was immediately reprimanded, Hanzlik said.
“She’s out of uniform, placed on leave and facing pending further administrative action,” Hanzlik said. That could include dismissal from the Navy and a loss of her retirement benefits, he said. “We expect the men and women who serve in our nation’s Navy to adhere to a standard of conduct that reflects our core value.”
Dickinson, who has 19 years in the Navy, was eligible for retirement in six months.
She has been granted immunity from federal criminal prosecution for her testimony in this trail, which extends to the Uniform Code of Military Justice court-martial process.
Palfrey is charged with multiple counts of racketeering and money laundering and faces as many as 55 years in prison. U.S. District Judge James Robertson told the jury that the prosecution will complete its case by Monday.
The case also already damaged the careers of high-profile clients. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., admitted that he had sinned after his phone number appeared in the phone records of the alleged D.C. Madam. Former Deputy Secretary of State Randall Tobias stepped down last summer after he admitted to using Palfrey’s business.
Both men are listed as witnesses for the defense.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
smccabe@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:54 AM MST on Wed., May. 21, 2008 re: "‘D.C. Madam’ notes say suicide was only way out"
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2:41 PM MST on Wed., May. 7, 2008
re: "One of Palfrey’s former employees died by her own hand"
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2:02 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008
re: "Former escorts, clients detail liaisons in D.C. Madam case"
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1:00 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008
re: "One of Palfrey’s former employees died by her own hand"
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5:01 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008
re: "‘D.C. Madam’ allegedly dies by suicide in Fla."
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1:47 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 23, 2008
re: "Former escorts, clients detail liaisons in D.C. Madam case"
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10:41 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008
re: "Naval officer faces dismissal after testifying in madam trial"
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9:16 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008
re: "Former escorts, clients detail liaisons in D.C. Madam case"
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Brenda from England said:
The US Government psychologically tortured Deborah Jeane Palfrey to the point of suicide, (in other words to the point of murder). From an international human rights point of view she was totally innocent. Why did the US Government do such a thing to her? So they could steal her assets and life savings and claim everything was done legally. Deborah worked hard for her money, she was an intelligent, successful and hard working business woman. In her 52 years of existence she never hurt one soul, she was a sweet and beautiful person. Every single government official involved with her case (or torture) have her blood on their hands. The US government basically murdered her just so they could steal her money. Only a very cruel government could do such a thing. (Deborah - I as a fellow human being love and respect you with all my heart, I know you were innocent just like Jesus was innocent of all charges brought upon him before he was crucified - God bless your soul).
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Examiner Reader said:
Palfrey was a woman who made selfish choices til the end.She profited from a business which hurt innocent women(wives)and children via their louse husbands/fathers.How many wives have been devastated... caught STDs? How many children have been scared and confused by marital discord/divorce? Her note was remorseless and all about her..."I can't be incarcerated...I'll be in my late 50's...penniless...I was the victim of a public lynching..."I,I,I".She even hung herself on her mother's property:SELFISH! She chose illegal activity and devalued marriage that is why she was enroute to prison and "alone". The former escort who commented contradicts herself by stating that she hadn't been proud of that time in her life,but goes on to justify it because it is between consenting adults,she needed money etc.Some serious soul searching may be beneficial.She would probably never assault an unsuspecting mother and child.But in a sense,she has done just that.
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Examiner Reader said:
It's sad for anyone to end their life in such a manner. As for the so called western culture, sex outside of marriage is an abonination to God. Have you not heard that the wages of sin is death!
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Examiner Reader said:
She did what she thought was best at the day and time.
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reader said:
She didn't have a choice .
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Examiner Reader said:
I am one of Palfrey's former escorts. I did not testify in the hearings though. That period of my life is one I'm not proud of, but it got me through some pretty rough financial times. Personally I don't get why it's illegal. It was concentual and safe, and "Julia" (aka Deborah) took good care of us. I worked there 6 weeks and made well over $10,000. Paul Huang, mentioned in this article, was one of my most frequent clients. In fact he was one of two who knew my real name.
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Examiner Reader said:
She made a choice. Now she has defined herself.
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Examiner Reader said:
Sorry icant understand this western hypocrisy!If having sex is not outlawed then money mustnt be the question ?I know you cant concieve this either!What about single mothers and guy hords?Iassume the western values are decaying and you wont accept !!
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