- Han Lee, a/k/a “Hana,” 41, of Cambridge, Mass.;
- James Lee, 68, of Torrance, Calif.; and
- Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham, Mass.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts filed charges against 3 Korean nationals operating between Virginia and Massachusetts on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
Inducement, Movement Of Sex Workers
Authorities in Massachusetts have revealed the dismantling of what they describe as an exclusive high-end brothel ring operating in Boston and eastern Virginia. The brothel reportedly catered to numerous elected officials, doctors, military and other professionals, and is now the subject of a federal investigation. In the legal document describing the charges against the three brothel operators, the Mass AO declined to name consumers of those services, but stated that this was due to an ongoing investigation.
In the charging document, the group is alleged to have transported females from LAX to Logan Airport. Most were not seemingly coerced, but instead, provided the opportunity to live and partake in the activities of commercial sex (“prostitution). One of the individuals, Junmyung Lee, acquired an F9 student visa to rent out leases, provided fake documents to do so with apartment landlords.
Han Lee – Madame In Chagre
In the federal affidavit, Han Lee, a 41 year old woman, is reported to have acted as both a madam, escorting women into the brothel facilities and as a money mover, depositing activity proceeds into personal bank accounts and wiring money via the USPS wire services in increments below 1000. At that rate, she could avoid certain identity requirements where money is labeled and categorized to prevent money laundering.
Overall, the three people arrested, Han Lee, James Lee and Junmyung Lee, are accused of running a clandestine operation that involved renting apartments or other venues for meetings between clients and sex workers, most of whom were of Asian descent.
To gain access to the brothel, clients had to verify their identity by providing their driver’s license photo, employer information and credit card number, in addition to paying a monthly fee. In some cases, clients would also pay cash at the facility after previewing a ‘menu’ of services texted to their phone. This ‘Boston Brothel Phone’ appears to have been tapped after the activities were brought to the attention of law enforcement, potentially, by a Confidential Informant.
Investigation Progress
In the daily log for Cambridge Police Department, the arrest of Han (Hana) Lee was made early in Wednesday morning. Afterwards, she was handed over to US Marshalls as part of her federal detention as she awaits trial and mounts a defense.
Daily Log for 11.08.2023 (cambridgema.gov)
“Pick a profession, you’re probably represented in this case,” Levy said. The consequences for those involved in operating and patronizing the brothel remain to be seen, but for now prosecutors are focused on bringing this criminal enterprise to justice.
The arrests of the Lee brothers have given way to a broader debate about the commodification of female bodies. Luxury brothels like this one indicate the existence of a wealthy clientele who feel entitled to buy and consume women’s bodies as if they were a commodity. It is a chilling reminder of the prevalence of sex trafficking in the United States and its connection to powerful individuals.
The dismantling of this brothel ring sends a powerful message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated and that criminal investigations involving powerful individuals will be conducted even under conditions of secrecy and exclusivity.
With information from CNN