Massachusetts Lawmaker Issues Statement Following Brothel Network Allegations
A married Massachusetts lawmaker has released a statement after being identified as a client in connection with a high-end brothel network.
Paul Toner, a Cambridge City Councilor, was named in court documents on Friday among individuals accused of utilizing illicit services within the city.
Shortly after his name surfaced publicly, the 58-year-old politician issued a statement expressing remorse. “I caused pain for those I care about deeply,” Toner stated. “For this, I am profoundly sorry. As this is an ongoing legal matter, I will refrain from further comments at this time.”
Details of the Allegations Against Councilor Toner
In court proceedings, law enforcement stated that Toner allegedly paid for commercial sex, agreeing to pay $340 for an hour with a woman known as “Tulip,” reportedly a pseudonym.
Councilor Toner was not present in court on Friday. His attorney, Tim Flaherty, appeared on his behalf.
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Outside Cambridge Juvenile Court after the brief hearing, Flaherty commented, “I have known Paul Toner my entire life, and I believe him to be a man of strong moral fiber.”
He added, “He is devoted to his family, and they to him. We are all imperfect. He is a dedicated city councilor, and Cambridge is fortunate to have his service.”
Family and Background
Toner is married to Susan Connelly, and they have two adult children, Grace, 26, and Jack, 19.
Their residence, a $1.3 million three-bedroom home, appeared unoccupied when reporters visited the address on Friday.
Toner is married to Susan Connelly and they share two children together, Grace and Jack
Police said that Toner had paid for commercial sex and settled on handing over $340 for one hour with a woman known as Tulip. An advertisement for the brothel is seen here
Toner and his family live inside a $1.3 million home in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Toner’s Career History
According to his Cambridge City Council profile, Toner previously taught seventh and eighth grade social studies before entering politics.
He ascended to the presidency of the Cambridge Teachers Association and subsequently served as president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association from 2006 to 2014.
Connelly is the Chief Operating Officer for a Boston-based company focused on housing solutions.
Broader Brothel Network Case
Councilor Toner is among 11 individuals who were summoned to court for probable cause hearings in this case.
Others identified on Friday include Frederick Rosenthal, Timothy Ackerson, Matthew Fulton, Jeffrey Henry, Steven Riel, Nathaniel Welch, Anurag Bajpayee, and James Cusack Jr., along with two others yet to be publicly identified.
Cambridge Police Lieutenant Jarred Cabral and Detective Michael Alpers publicly disclosed the names and allegations in court.
Last week, the initial group of 12 individuals were named, and an additional five are scheduled to appear in court next Friday.
Attorney Lorraine Belostock, representing six of the men on Friday, informed reporters that “all of my clients are presumed innocent under the law.”
Prosecutors assert that these men are part of an elite clientele including public officials, government contractors, doctors, and lawyers.
Mark Zhu, 28, and Jason Han, 29, were present with their attorneys, while Kerry Wu, John Doran, David LaCava, Boya Zhou, Peter MacGillivray, Yihong Zou, Pablo Domingo Maceira, Jonathan Lanfear, Pinhao Chao, and Patrick Walsh were represented by legal counsel.
Toner did not appear in court on Friday, with his attorney Tim Flaherty instead appearing on his behalf. Flaherty is seen here speaking with reporters after the hearing
According to a profile on the Cambridge City website, Toner had been a seventh and eight grade teacher of social studies prior to his career in politics
Cambridge Police detective Michael Alpers, left, and Lt. Jarred Cabral are seen here being sworn in on Friday before reading out the allegations against the accused
Defense attorney Lorraine Belostock appears at Middlesex Juvenile Courthouse defending men accused of buying sex from the high-end Cambridge/Watertown brothels
Charges and “Girlfriend Experience”
Probable cause was found to charge all the men with patronizing a brothel.
Those previously named in court reportedly expressed interest in “gfe” or “girlfriend experience” services.
Authorities describe this service as one that “blurs the lines between a financial transaction and a romantic relationship.”
The brothel ring allegedly operated from six luxury apartments in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as Washington D.C. suburbs, catering to a “rich and powerful” clientele.
Prosecutors indicated that stringent vetting processes revealed clients including public officials, military personnel, high-level government contractors, medical professionals, academics, and corporate executives.
Some of these figures now face potential career and personal repercussions as a result of the allegations.
Prosecutors stated that clients paid up to $600 per hour for sexual encounters, primarily with Asian women who authorities believe were victims of sex trafficking.
The brothel operators also offered monthly memberships to repeat clients.
Mark Zhu, seen here, was told there was probable cause to charge him with visiting a brothel at Friday morning’s hearing in Cambridge
Radiologist Jason Han, 29, also appeared in court on Friday alongside his attorney
Last week there was also a demonstration held outside the courthouse
Details of Brothel Operations
While specific details of the men’s personal lives have not been disclosed, it is presumed that many are married, have families, and are prominent members of their communities.
Three individuals who managed the prostitution ring have already confessed to their crimes after charges were filed in November 2023.
The original affidavit in the case indicates that women were advertised for commercial sex through websites disguised as professional nude photoshoot services.
The affidavit also cites a text message linked to the Massachusetts operation containing a “menu.”
According to the document, this “menu” listed available sexual services, hourly rates, and women.
The original affidavit shows a text message sent from a phone related to the operation in Massachusetts which includes a ‘menu’
The affidavit clarifies that “BB” is a term used in the prostitution industry for unprotected sex, and “GFE” refers to “Girlfriend Experience.”
The document further explains that “Girlfriend Experience” involves a service that “obscures the distinction between a financial transaction and a romantic relationship.”
One website focused on the Boston area, providing addresses, while another targeted areas in Virginia.
Accountability and Public Hearings
Investigators have pledged to pursue “accountability” by exposing the men whose expenditures sustained the brothels.
Indictments were sought against 28 men accused of using the brothels at a court hearing in December 2023.
Controversy arose when these men attempted to keep the hearings closed to the public to conceal their identities.
They argued for a right to privacy. All face misdemeanor charges and none have been arrested.
Such offenses in Massachusetts are typically handled through private “show-cause” hearings. This practice has drawn criticism for its lack of transparency.
Multiple media organizations challenged the requests for private hearings, and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ultimately ruled that the hearings should be public.
The accused men face charges of paying for sexual services, carrying a low likelihood of imprisonment upon conviction.
However, advocates for sex workers contend that publicly naming these individuals can serve to shame them and deter others from purchasing sex, thereby reducing the demand that fuels sex trafficking.