Woman Accused in Call Girl Ring Pleads Not Guilty

A woman accused of running an international call girl ring out of a Van Nuys hotel pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of pimping, pandering and conspiracy.

Jody Diane Babydol Gibson made a brief appearance before Van Nuys Municipal Judge Leland Harris to deny the nine felony counts stemming from her alleged role in a business that catered to celebrities, business titans and at least one professional athlete.

Harris ordered Gibson back to court July 14 to set a date for a preliminary hearing. She remained free after posting a $25,000 bond.

Flanked by an entourage that included her lawyer, Gerald V. Scotti, two bodyguards and a public relations consultant, Gibson had no comment outside court.

Her attorney briefly told a throng of reporters that he had recently received documents turned over by prosecutors, adding that Babydol was not his client’s alias but rather part of her legal name.

Los Angeles Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard F. Walmark had no comment on the case.

But authorities have said Gibson, using the alias Sasha, operated one of Los Angeles’ largest illegal escort services over the last nine years.

An aspiring singer, Gibson kept information on more than 100 clients, including actors, producers, businessmen and a professional athlete, authorities said. Those names have not been released.

Gibson, who called her service “California Dreamin’,” employed as many as 34 prostitutes and charged $500 to $3,000 a night, police said.

The service, which was marketed on an Internet Web site, was believed to be operating in 16 states and in Europe, according to authorities, although most of the activity was in Los Angeles and New York.

Gibson was the target of a 10-month Los Angeles Police Department investigation in which an undercover female officer infiltrated the ring and posed as a prostitute.

The probe was sparked by a disgruntled escort who called police. Detectives also are looking at Gibson’s contacts with the recording industry and reputed New York crime figures.

The investigation culminated in her June 8 arrest at the Century Plaza Hotel.