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Maine Zumba Studio Doubled as a House of Prostitution?

By Deanne Katz, Esq. on October 11, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

The town of Kennebunk, Maine was rocked by allegations that its local Zumba studio was also a house of prostitution.

Zumba instructor Alexis Wright was arrested and charged with 106 counts of prostitution, violation of privacy, tax evasion, and other charges. She pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, reports The New York Times.

Sure Zumba is a pretty sexy way to work out but police were more concerned with what happened in Wright's studio and office after hours.

Wright used her studio and nearby office for prostitution at all hours of the night, according to the charges. She also videotaped many of her clients and prosecutors allegedly have hours of footage to sort through.

They also have a list of her clients which could include some prominent community members, according to The New York Times.

What's more surprising or disturbing depending on your point of view, is why police started investigating Wright.

Shortly after she opened her fitness studio in 2010, an anonymous blog accused her of being a porn star and potentially having a prostitution ring. When police looked into the allegation they found that men would visit Wright's office for short periods of time at all hours of the night.

Other tenants in the building reportedly heard some moaning going on as well.

For it to be prostitution, it's not enough to prove that Wright was sleeping around. Unless the prosecution can prove money changed hands, the charges will go nowhere. What they do seem to have is proof of invasion of privacy.

Videotaping or photographing people without their knowledge is questionably legal but doing it during an intimate moment is definitely a crime.

The video evidence prosecutors allegedly have could be especially damaging for Wright's case.

Authorities also charged Wright's business partner, Mark Strong (we will assume that is not a stage name). Strong was also arrested and charged with 59 counts of promotion of prostitution and violation of privacy. He also pleaded guilty to the charges.

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