No Jail in Plea Deal for Ex-County Attorney Accused in ‘Nice Guy’ Prostitution Ring
A former County Attorney in Minnesota will avoid jail time under a plea deal for his role in a high-priced “nice guy” prostitution ring.
John Paul St. Marie, 66, of Minneapolis was accused of setting up trysts between well-to-do “nice guy” businessmen and expensive prostitutes at top hotels in Minneapolis. He pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of felony promotion of prostitution, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
St. Marie’s lawyer, Jim Dahlquist, told the Star Tribune that the plea deal does not call for jail time because of St. Marie’s health problems. St. Marie had childhood polio and requires around-the-clock care. He can only move his neck and one finger. St. Marie could end up in jail, though, if he violates probation. He will also make a donation to a women’s advocacy group.
St. Marie had worked on civil commitments at the Hennepin County Attorney’s office until he retired in 2003 because of his health issues. He consented to disbarment earlier this month. Police began investigating the prostitution ring in 2008.
St. Marie’s court appearance on Tuesday was not listed on the docket “for reasons that are unclear,” the Pioneer Press says.
