Alleged ‘Madam’ Was ‘Agent,’ Court Told

A retired Los Angeles police detective testified Friday in a pretrial hearing for accused “Beverly Hills madam” Elizabeth Adams that his department knew and condoned her activities, and that she was a police “agent” who gathered information on several criminal cases.

Glenn R. Souza, who also has worked as filmmaker Robert Evans’ bodyguard, was the first witness to testify for the defense in its motion to dismiss charges of pandering, receiving stolen property and grand theft against Adams, 55. Her attorney, Anthony P. Brooklier, contends that Adams is protected from prosecution under a 1973 plea bargaining agreement with police. Deputy Dist. Atty. Alan Carter acknowledged that Adams was an informant but said she was not authorized by the police to break any law.