Heidi Fleiss Gets 3 Years

Judge tells "Hollywood madam" to be "positive role model"

By Jeff B. Copeland Jan 08, 1997 2:15 AMTags
A Los Angeles judge gave "Hollywood madam" Heidi Fleiss 37 months for federal charges of tax evasion and money laundering today, far less than the 7 to 9 years asked by prosecutors. She'll also perform 300 hours of community service and pay a $400 fine.

Her attorney had argued that Fleiss was the victim of a sexist justice system that chased down the madam, not her johns. And Fleiss made a tearful appeal to Judge Consuelo Marshall that "I am a different person now. I made terrible choices and mistakes."

Marshall seemed to take both pleas to heart, as well as the fact that Fleiss still faces state charges of pandering (she was convicted in state court in 1994 but ordered to stand trial again after juror misconduct came to light).

"I believe you will be a positive role model for other young people and other women who could benefit from the experiences you've had, " the judge told Fleiss. Since her arrest, Fleiss has opened a legitimate business, a lingerie company. On the other hand, she was also busted for violating probation by using methamphetamine.

The feds claimed that Fleiss laundered at least $300,000 in illicit income through her family's bank accounts. Her father, pediatrician-to-the-stars Paul Fleiss, pled guilty to income tax evasion for his role in the scheme.

Fleiss's "little black book," which supposedly contained names of top studio executives and other entertainment figures, has never been made public. One celebrity who was outed by the federal trial was Charlie Sheen who testified to paying $50,000 for service from Fleiss' $2500-a-night escorts.