An ambitious Russian madam was busted for running a high-end prostitution ring around Manhattan featuring a stable of hookers that included a lingerie model, an elementary school geometry teacher and an Olympic athlete, federal officials said today.
Naira Jalovian, of Jersey City, was arrested this morning and charged with promoting inter-state prostitution.
Authorities said Jalovian, 29, advertised her business on an erotic web site, steering clear of celebrities and political clients in favor of “wealthy businessmen” who paid up to $1,000 for a romp with her girls in one of the several Midtown apartments that Jalovian rented.
According to a criminal complaint, Jalovian told an undercover agent that her prostitution business netted between $30,000 and $50,000 per month, and had been running for six months to a year.
She told the undercover agent that she preferred the low-key clients, assuming they would be less likely to attract law enforcement attention. She also tried to stay under the radar by claiming on the web site that her hookers were “independents” rather than employees of an agency.
To further shield her operation, Jalovian sought out “corrupt law enforcement agents” to avoid prosecution, eliminate competing prostitution rings and expand her business, the complaint said.
Officials said Jalovian operated the ring from her Jersey City apartment and traveled to Manhattan regularly to pick up the proceeds from her business.
The arrest was the result of a two-month investigation launched by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Jalovian, a Russian citizen with a US green card, was charged with interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises.
She was scheduled to be arraigned today, and faces five years in prison if convicted.