Prostitution scandal draws to close in Maine with final guilty plea

ALFRED, Maine – A prostitution scandal in Kennebunk, Maine, has quietly drawn to a close with resolution of the final client's case.

The man was fined $500 last week after he pleaded guilty, joining dozens of others including a former mayor, minister and firefighter who now have convictions for paying for sex with a woman who used her Zumba studio as a front for prostitution.

The scandal made international headlines in 2012 with reports of 100 to 150 clients, many of whom were videotaped without their knowledge while engaging in sex with fitness instructor Alexis Wright.

But the prosecution of clients was hampered when a judge ruled she didn't have to testify.

In the end, charges were brought against 68 people accused of being clients, 65 of whom pleaded guilty or no contest, according to documents obtained under Maine's Freedom of Access Act. Another client was convicted, one case ended in acquittal and charges were dropped in another case.

Wright served nearly six months in jail after pleading guilty to engaging in and promoting prostitution, as well as several welfare- and tax-related charges. Her business partner, Mark Strong of Thomaston, was sentenced to 20 days in jail for his role.