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Online Prostitution Ring Owner Gets 3-Year Sentence

The owner of an online prostitution ring that generated nearly $2 million from across metropolitan Washington has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison.

Otasowie Asuen, 32, of Washington pleaded guilty in June to a racketeering offense in federal court in Alexandria. He admitted employing more than 50 prostitutes recruited from across North America through ads on the Craigslist and Backpage.com.

In 2009, Asuen started the escort service, which operated under the names Prime DC and DMV INDYS, after losing his job at a law firm.

The prostitutes kept 60 percent of the money they received, and Asuen kept 40 percent.

Asuen apologized for his actions and said he was motivated by greed.

The 33-month sentence was in line with what prosecutors had sought.

NPR

Soderbergh's Liberace, 'Behind The Candelabra'

In his new HBO film, the acclaimed director examines the five-year relationship between the flamboyant entertainer and Scott Thorson, who was 40 years Liberace's junior and still a teenager when they met. Michael Douglas plays Liberace and Matt Damon plays Thorson.
NPR

Washington State Butcher Spikes Pig Feed With Weed

Despite its name, the "pot pig" experiment isn't an attempt to develop a new meaty treat for stoners. Instead, a Seattle butcher is feeding marijuana seeds, stems and root bulbs to swine as a cheeky money-saving measure.
NPR

'I Was Dismayed' To Learn What Agency Did, Ex-IRS Chief Says

Under Douglas Shulman's watch, IRS personnel singled out some conservative groups for extra scrutiny. That, he conceded Tuesday, has "justifiably led to questions" about the tax agency's motivation.
NPR

Airbnb Stays Are Illegal In New York, Court Rules

People who use Airbnb, the web company that pairs travelers with residents who rent out their homes on a short-term basis, are breaking New York City's laws, according to an administrative law judge. The vacation rental business was found to run afoul of the city's occupancy code.

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