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Anna Gristina, who has been charged with promoting prostitution, appears in State Supreme Court in New York March 15, 2012. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

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New York "Soccer Mom Madam" to be released on bail
Posted : Tuesday, 26 June 2012 07:39PM

By Joseph Ax

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Accused Manhattan madam Anna Gristina, a suburban mother of four who prosecutors say ran a highly profitable brothel out of a Manhattan apartment, was expected to released on bail late on Tuesday after four months in jail, according to her lawyer.

Her attorney, Norman Pattis, the ninth defense lawyer to appear in connection with the case, said a bond package had been approved by prosecutors and "we expect her to be released tonight."

Gristina's bail bondsman, Ira Judelson, also said she should be let out of jail Tuesday on a $250,000 bond. The Manhattan District Attorney's office declined to comment.

Gristina, 44, previously rejected an offer from one of her earlier attorneys to put up his Manhattan apartment as collateral for her bond, preferring to remain in a Rikers Island jail while her family worked to come up with enough cash to secure her release.

The case has captured the attention of the New York tabloids, which have dubbed Gristina the "Soccer Mom Madam" and the "Hockey Mom Madam." Prosecutors charged her with a single count of promoting prostitution after a five-year investigation involving surveillance and wiretaps.

She has pleaded not guilty. Earlier this month, an appeals court lowered her bail from $2 million to $250,000 and required her to wear an ankle monitor, saying her charge did not justify such a high bond.

(Editing by Paul Thomasch and Xavier Briand)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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