Madam Is Sentenced to Second Prison Stint

A Hollywood madam already serving state prison time for operating a high-priced prostitution ring was sentenced Monday to 18 months in federal prison for tax evasion.

Jody Diane Gibson, also known as Babydol, calmly stood next to her attorney in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles as Judge Stephen Wilson read her sentence. She also was ordered to pay nearly $200,000 in back taxes.

“Hopefully, this prosecution will stimulate a new lifestyle,” Wilson said.

Gibson, who was handcuffed and wore a green prison jumpsuit, has been serving time since her conviction last year in state court on felony pimping charges for operating a prostitution ring that catered to celebrities, politicians and wealthy professionals.

Gibson, 43, pleaded guilty in April to six counts of tax evasion after admitting that she failed to report more than $500,000 in income between 1994 and 1999, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Eileen Decker.

On Monday, Gibson told the court that she was “very sorry for my wrongdoing. The past 16 months have been the most horrific ordeal. You will not see me in this system again.”

In April 2000, a Superior Court jury convicted Gibson of the three counts of felony pimping. She was sentenced to three years in state prison. In December, she was turned over to federal authorities to face the tax evasion charges.

Wilson said Gibson will serve her federal and state terms at the same time. She could be released from prison as early as February 2002.

For nine years Gibson, an aspiring singer named Babydol, ran an escort service that authorities said catered to hundreds of clients.

Gibson was arrested in April 1999 by an undercover officer disguised as a wealthy Middle Eastern businessman. The officer proposed to Gibson that it might be lucrative to send some prostitutes to Kuwait. Gibson was taken into custody after she estimated the cost of such a plan.