Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
International Escort Ring Busted by Feds
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Mar 7, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Mar 7, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A man and three women were arrested by the feds for overseeing an intercontinental prostitution ring catering to the upper crust of New York, Miami, LA, and Europe.
The women pictured on the Emperor's Club V.I.P. web site, now taken down, had their faces blurred but featured body shots alongside a one to seven diamond ranking system. Chintzy customers willing to go low-end could get a three-diamond lady for $1,000 an hour; seven-diamond pros cost $5,500 an hour and would be flown around the world. According to The New York Sun, the company also offered "investment services and deals on contemporary art."
The arrestees are Mark Brener, 62, and Cecil Suwal, 23, who live together in Cliffside Park, N.J.; Brener is the alleged mastermind while Suwal was the banker. Brooklyn resident Temeka Rachelle Lewis, 32, and Tanya Hollander, 36, of Rhinebeck, N.Y. were the alleged booking agents who assigned women to clients around the city and the world.
There is still an online site for Emperors Club Spokes Models, offering the professional talents of women in the same cities as the prostitution ring. There's no indication the women featured on the model site are prostitutes, although the logos of the two companies are highly similar.
Tagged
arrested
brooklyn
d.c.
Emperors Club
hookers
london
los angeles
miami
new york
prostitution
Dave Hogarty
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .