2009-05-12 11:11:37
Tue May 12, 12:35 am ET
SANTA ANA, Calif. A woman is accused in California of making more than $8.5 million from an online prostitution business that claimed to employ porn stars and fashion models.
Michelle Braun appeared Monday in federal court in Orange County and was allowed to remain free pending her next pretrial hearing next month.
The Boca Raton, Fla., woman is accused of charging clients $50,000 or more to spend the night with adult film stars, models, and actresses. Prosecutors say she used her travel business to launder the money.
Braun pleaded not guilty in March to money laundering and transporting someone for prostitution purposes. Prosecutors say she's expected to change her plea to guilty before her next hearing.
Braun and her lawyer declined to comment.