Suspended lawyer is accused of prostitution
A suspended Massachusetts lawyer has been charged with prostitution after a police investigated a report by a suspicious neighbor and say found online reviews of both the lawyer’s legal and escort services.
The suspended lawyer, Karen Andrade, 51, of Southampton, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a single charge of providing sexual conduct for a fee, the Daily Hampshire Gazette and Masslive.com report. She has been released on personal recognizance. Her LinkedIn profile says she most recently worked as a mediator in family law cases.
Police say Andrade worked as an escort using the name “Rose,” according to Masslive.com.
Andrade was administratively suspended from law practice in January 2014, and disciplinary proceedings have been pending against her since May 2015, according to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers. A board representative told the Gazette that Andrade was at first temporarily suspended for failing to respond to a board inquiry, and indefinitely suspended when she didn’t respond or request a hearing.
Police began investigating Andrade in March 2014 when a neighbor of Andrade’s complained that middle-aged men were frequently visiting her home, according to the Gazette. Police say they looked up Andrade’s number on the Internet and found references to both her legal and escort services.
Andrade denied she worked as a prostitute in June 2014 when police arrested her for motor vehicle charges and asked her about the escort ads, according to police. A neighbor complained again in May 2015 and provided license plate numbers of men visiting Andrade’s home. Police say one of the men told them he paid Andrade $150 for sexual conduct.
Police raided Andrade’s home in June and say they found text messages arranging visits with clients.
The Gazette was unable to reach Andrade for comment.
