Pimp? Try pauper.
Accused madam Anna Gristina “doesn’t have two nickels to rub together,” her defense lawyer said today, as prosecutors lashed out at the suspected flesh peddler’s usual bail request.
Gristina, 44, came to court with three attorneys, one of whom — Peter Gleason — has offered to put up his own TriBeCa loft as collateral in hopes of freeing the mom of four on $2 million bail bond.
Assistant DA Charles Linehan said his office has “serious concerns” over Gleason’s offer to his own $2.5 million condo on the line as collateral for Gristina’s bail.
“It’s unethical,” Linehan said. “There are ethical concerns that come into play here. We definitely oppose this.”
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan put off a decision until Thursday, but said he didn’t immediately want to shoot down Gleason’s remarkable offer.
“I don’t believe the law is crystal clear on this point,” Merchan said. “I believe, preliminarily, it is not a per se violation of the ethical rules.”
Gristina is charged with running a multi-million-dollar, high-price call girl ring, and prosecutors say she did so while boasting on secret surveillance tapes of having the protection of members of law enforcement and wealthy clients.
“The allegation is that she made over $10 million, possibly $15 million dollars, and that she money ‘squirreled away,'” Merchan said, inviting Gristina’s lawyer Gleason to justify her continued access multiple lawyers.
She has a second, lead lawyer Richard Siracusa, who is taxpayer-supported under a program for indigent defendants.
“She doesn’t have two nickels to rub together, your honor,” Gleason countered, noting that prosecutors have produced no evidence of Gristina’s so-called hidden hoard.
Merchan responded that Gristina can keep her taxpayer-funded lawyer — but denied her additional request to interview other prospective lawyers within the program.
Justice Merchan addressed Gristina directly and said: “If it comes to light that you can afford an attorney, I will fully expect you to pay back every penny that the courts have paid to represent you. Do you understand that?”
Gristina, looking drawn and speaking softly, slouched in her chair at the defense table:
“Yes, your honor, I do.”
Outside court, Gristina’s lawyers insisted their client is being unfairly targeted with a $2 million bond.
Gristina’s defenders complained that prosecutors are treating her more harshly that famed “Mayflower Madam” Sydney Biddle Barrows.
The infamous madam only faced a four-digit bond when she was busted in 1984 for running a call-girl ring out of the Mayflower Regent Hotel.
“I really have a fundamental believe in justice and I despise what I perceive as somebody being bullied,” Gleason said.
“Here’s a mother of four who is ripped away from her family. As I said in court, I believe the Mayflower Madam was given $7,500 bail.”
Gleason reiterated how at ease he feels, putting his own condo on the line for Gristina’s bail.
“I feel so comfortable giving them [Gristina and her family] access to my place. I want them to move in with me,” he said.
“She wants an ankle bracelet, and she wants to be confined to my loft. With her family. Mr. Siracusa’s office — who is the lead counsel — is literally three blocks from where I live. There is one way in and one way out. It’s right around the corner from where DSK was holed up on Franklin Street. And you folks in the press will make sure she doesn’t flee. “
