OXNARD : Conviction Could Cost Man His House
A 36-year-old Oxnard man could lose his house if he is convicted of running a prostitution ring, county prosecutors say.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Maeve J. Fox said prosecutors asked last week for the title of Henry Hardy Jr.’s new home, marking the county’s first use of the state Control of Profits of Organized Crime Act of 1982.
Hardy, owner of the Stardust Modeling Agency on Saviers Road, has pleaded notguilty to 19 counts of felony pimping and pandering and charges of possessing marijuana, Fox said. Hardy’s trial is scheduled Aug. 12.
Prosecutors accused him of employing prostitutes at the modeling agency and sending prostitutes from the agency to customer’s houses.
The Control of Profits of Organized Crime Act allows officials to seize assets amassed by illicit activity, Fox said. Prosecutors believe that Hardy used profits from prostitution to put down $60,000 in January to buy the house at 2180 Eastridge Loop in Oxnard for more than $260,000.
Prosecutors would have to obtain a conviction on at least two charges of pimping and pandering to prove that the money that went into the house came from illegal business, Fox said.
Neither Hardy nor his lawyer, Steven Powell, could be reached for comment.
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