A Chicago-area massage parlor owner’s federal trial came to an abrupt end last week when a masseuse recognized the owner’s attorney as a client while she was testifying.
Alex “Daddy” Campbell stands accused of exploiting women in the country illegally while they worked at his massage parlors, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Women testified that Campbell forced them to perform sexual favors during the massages and pay him thousands of dollars under threat of deportation.
Ukrainian immigrant Liudmyla “Liuda” Ksenych recognized Campbell’s court-appointed attorney, Douglas Rathe, as her client while she testified last Monday, according to the Sun-Times.
Rathe admitted to U.S. District Court Judge Robert Gettleman that he got too friendly with the masseuse, even giving her a bottle of perfume, but maintains there was never any sexual contact.
Gettleman declared a mistrial and scheduled a new trial to begin in January with a new attorney. Campbell will remain in custody.
