The professor accused of running an online prostitution ring frantically tried to cover his tracks when cops picked up his scent, The Post has learned.
Physics nerd David Flory, 68, allegedly tried to delete incriminating posts from his “Southwest Companions” online brothel in early January, days after cops infiltrated the site with the help of a turncoat hooker.
“I think he was starting to get hinked up and he was trying to hide his involvement,” said Albuquerque, NM, Lt. William Roseman.
The married grandfather — who has a master’s degree from Columbia and a Ph.D. from Yeshiva University — was released last night on $10,000 cash bail.
Flory was ordered to remain in New Mexico, have no contact with his stable of hookers – and stay off the Internet.
The US Secret Service is separately investigating whether Flory made money creating personal Web sites for hookers who used his site.
“We’re looking at the interstate angle and potential wire fraud,” said Special Agent Rich Ferretti.
Police sources said Flory set up a site for, among others, “Krispi Kreme,” a Colorado-based escort who promised to provide “a full girlfriend experience that will leave you breathless.”
Online posts show he desperately sought help starting Jan. 4 when he couldn’t delete explicit posts.
“How do I troubleshoot this? Or, better, how do I fix it?” he asked in his first post on a computer help forum.
Helpful techies responded with several ideas.
“I tried all three suggestions and none worked. Same error message,” a frustrated Flory replied.
A month later, with cops breathing down his neck, the Fairleigh Dickinson prof of 42 years still couldn’t delete the sleazy content and made a panicked cry for “help, please!”
Authorities say Flory’s business serviced as many as 200 hookers and 1,400 johns across the Southwest, and was based at his luxury adobe vacation home in Albuquerque.
Using code, the women would advertise the sexual services they were willing to perform and how much they charged.
And the johns — who needed Flory’s personal OK before they could join — would be able to rate the call girls to give other clients inside information.
Detectives are searching computers seized from Flory’s 13-room West 87th Street apartment in the storied Belnord Building and his office at the New Jersey college to see if he had a similar sex scam operating here.