4 Sentenced In Prostitution Ring That Lured Hungarian Women
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Four Miami residents were sentenced for operating an escort agency that prosecutors say would lure Hungarian women to the United States to work as prostitutes.
Authorities say the Fort Lauderdale Escort Services helped the women get travel visas, paid for their travel and housing during their three month to year-long stints.
United States District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga sentenced the company's president, 51-year-old Christian Fiorenza, to three years prison Friday for Mann Act and money laundering violations. The judge said that the sentence was necessary to deter Fiorenza and others from engaging in this type of criminal activity.
On Thursday, the judge sentenced Istvan Kaszab, 38, Szabina Balazs, 21 and Andrea Avram, 25, for the same offenses. Authorities say Kaszab recruited most of the prostitutes from overseas. He and Avran allegedly purchased Mercedes and other luxury cars and watches with their earnings.
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