Witness Tells of Working as a Prostitute for ‘Babydol’

Under a grant of immunity, a woman testified Tuesday that she worked for a year for Jody “Babydol” Gibson’s alleged international prostitution ring, charging clients as much as $1,000.

April White was the first prostitute to testify at the trial of the alleged Hollywood madam in Los Angeles County Superior Court. White said that she and the defendant first met at a Studio City restaurant in May 1998 and that Gibson immediately put her to work, sending her that evening to a client. “We talked about that I would work for her, and that I’d have sex with clients and that I’d get paid for it,” White said. It would be a “40-60 split,” she said, with Gibson getting 40%.

The testimony came during Gibson’s trial on pimping and pandering charges in a case made notorious by allegations of misconduct by investigating police.

White signed the immunity deal, which shields her from prosecution for misdemeanor prostitution, Tuesday shortly before she testified. Gibson faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Defense attorney Gerald Scotti has contended that authorities could not prove Gibson was involved in anything other than setting up dance parties and shooting adult videos. The defense has also alleged police misconduct, including evidence tampering, failure to prosecute male clients and improper actions by undercover officers.

White, 34, said she had worked at a restaurant and as a substitute teacher but became a prostitute because she had trouble paying bills. From their first meeting until Gibson’s arrest in June, White saw about 20 clients for the defendant, she said. Crying several times, she described her encounter with undercover LAPD Det. Shoukry Ethnasios, who testified last week.

“Eventually we ended up without clothes on,” she said of their meeting in a hotel room, after which Gibson was arrested.