Hollywood Madamaka Heidi FleissKirstie Zoelle

Background• American Business woman• Born in LA• 1 of 6 children• Dropped out of her high school• Briefly attended Valley and Santa Monica college• Worked as a waitress• Had a relationship with Bernie Cornfeld• Sold men’s boxer shorts and other apparel at her

newly opened store in L.A. aptly called “Heidi Wear.” (entrepreneur)

Background• Shortly after the relationship; in 1990 she

launched her own prostitution ring• Spoke of a “black book” which held the

client’s names• Charlie Sheen was involved in her

prostitution ring• Known as the “Hollywood Madam”• Total of 37 months in prison due to

pandering, this case was later overturned, charges were dropped after jurors admitted to vote trading and other infractions. The 37 months in prison was when she was convicted of tax evasion and money laundering.

Criminal Terms• (1993) 3-5 counts of Pandering• (1993) Tax evasion• (1993) Money laundering• (1994) She was ordered to enter a drug

treatment center when drug tested and found positive for methamphetamine- Possession of narcotics • (1994) 14 counts of Conspiracy• (1995) 8 counts of conspiracy, and on tax

evasion and money laundering

Same Case

Year

Crime

Evidence• Charlie Sheen testified at Heidi Fleiss’

trial, admitting his involvement in her prostitution ring.• Elizabeth Adams introduced her to

wealthy clientele because she too was a Madam (Beverly Hills). These wealthy clientele were involved in Heidi’s prostitution ring.• Undercover agents engaged in activities

such as buying cocaine and asking for sexual favors with four girls sent by Heidi, she was arrested the next day.

Evidence• Texas billionaire businessman Robert T.

Crow, was also revealed as a client during Heidi’s hearing

(only 2 client’s names were publically revealed- Charlie Sheen and Robert T. Crow)• Talked about the “black book” even

though it was never found, she told the prosecutors that it is where all clientele names are found.

Sentences• Pandering- 3 years in prison (charges later

dropped)• Tax evasion & money laundering- 37 months at

Federal Correctional Institution (Dublin, CA)• Possession of Narcotics- ordered to a drug

treatment center

Innovation TheoryHeidi Fleiss shows a lot of characteristics that fit into the

innovation theory. That is why I chose the innovation theory. One of the examples shown is wealth. All of her illegal activities including pandering, tax evasion, money laundering, prostitution, and selling drugs all consists of money. All of those crimes connect and/or come back to the same point, money. Miss Fleiss would not be able to live without money, because even today she is out of jail living in a million dollar home with a man. Some may even call her a “gold-digger”.

Also, all her crimes are organized. She does not commit a crime without thorough planning to avoid punishment. Though she has been caught before for multiple crimes, she may still commit them today. We know that there is still prostitution that goes on under her supervision, but not enough evidence to consider it criminal. Heidi Fleiss is a very cautious person and likes planned crimes and money, that is why I chose the innovation theory.