The so-called "Millionaire Madam" Anna Gristina remains at Rikers Island, nearly two months after her initial arrest. The married mother of two, accused of running a high-end escort service from an Upper East Side apartment, is being held on $2 million bail, because Manhattan prosecutors say she has bragged about having money overseas as well as law enforcement connections. But Gristina insists she's innocent and has been trying to get her bail lowered. Now her family has apparently started a website to solicit donations.
Here's what HelpAnna.org says:
Anna Gristina-Gorr has not been convicted of anything. She awaits trial on Riker’s Island, with an unjust bail, set higher than the charge against her warrants. The bail, set at a 2 million dollar bond or 1 million in cash, is cruel and unusual. Real criminals, such as alleged rapists, murders and child molesters have been required to pay less bail than she.
Even more horrific are the conditions of the facility she is being held in. As if this wife and mother was a war-criminal, Anna is kept in solitary confinement, in a room where the temperatures exceed over 100 degrees. Rats and roaches scurry all around her. The authorities humiliated her further by attempting to make her wear only a t-shirt and diaper. So much pain is being inflicted on a woman who has not been convicted, who according to America’s own justice system, deserves to be treated innocent unless proven guilty.
Please help us fight this injustice; this insult to the American way of life. You can help by making a donation on this web site and by writing to your congress representative to protest. Any help is much appreciated!
The NYC Department of Corrections told 1010 WINS, "All of the allegations that are being made are untrue. This is not solitary confinement. It is not punishment. It is protective custody, a single-cell housing, as is true for many other inmates in the system and for all high-profile inmates," adding, "She is able to leave her cell."
But, to pull heartstrings further, the site boasts lines like "Today, Mom is in jail, awaiting the trail. The thing is, while she waits for her case to be heard, she should be home with us. It’s not fair that she doesn’t get to be with her family during this time - she hasn’t been convicted of anything," and "Perhaps it’s time to rescue the rescuer. Anna Gristina-Gorr and her little son have dedicated their time to saving the lives of animals. Not only does her family have three rescue dogs of their own (“Herm”, “Emily” and “Rosie”), but Anna co-owns a pot-belly pig animal rescue program called the Pig Placement Network."
Gristina's next court date is June 21.