The police found prostitutes in 16 out of 19 apartments that the man rented out. They believe he has earned over NOK 7 million from pimping.
The man in his 40s was prosecuted at Hordaland district court, among other things, for pimping, money laundering and breach of the Bookkeeping Act.
– The police usually seek out prostitutes for welfare checks. Among other things, to detect human trafficking – and then a pattern has been seen. Many of them lived in apartments that were rented from the same company, police attorney John Lode Roscoe tells VG.
The company was wholly owned by a man in his 40s living in Sandnes.
– Large scope
The public prosecutor has not brought charges for human trafficking in this case. But the man is charged under the mafia section, which means that the penalty can be doubled. Altogether, he risks up to 12 years in prison for pimping.
– Profit-motivated organized crime is very serious and harmful to society, Roscoe points out.
– Although in this case I have not found an evidentiary basis for bringing charges for human trafficking, there is still no doubt that many women in prostitution are in a difficult life situation, says state attorney Rudolf Christoffersen to VG.
He believes it is naive to believe that buying sex is a trade between two equal parties.
– Elements of coercion, lack of freedom and poverty are often dominant. The case shows that the extent of the purchase of sexual services is still high in Norway and that the profit potential for those behind and organizing the business is great, says Christoffersen.
– Made millions
According to the indictment, the man rented out apartments that had been used for prostitution in Bergen, Haugesund, Stavanger, Sandnes, Sola, Kristiansand, Skien and Drammen.
The police believe the pimping business has generated a dividend of at least 7.4 million.
– There is no doubt that this is a large black market with large amounts of money in circulation. A lot can indicate that this is a player who has found a niche and made money, says Roscoe.
The police began investigating the man last spring, and have spent considerable resources on the case. In September, he was arrested – the operation was codenamed “Operation Merkel”.
– Two days after the arrest, the police launched a coordinated operation in four different police districts. We went into all the apartments that he rented out. Then we uncovered prostitutes in 16 out of 19 apartments, Roscoe tells VG.
The police believe the man used his wholly-owned rental company to launder the profits from the pimping business, so that they would appear legal.
The company must have had an annual cash turnover of several hundred thousand kroner. Nevertheless, over four years, less than NOK 10,000 was recorded as cash in each of the years.
Denies criminal guilt
The man’s defender, Vetle Jensen, says that his client pleads not guilty.
– He is looking forward to explaining himself in court about how his rental business has happened, says Jensen to VG.
VG has asked Jensen how the man in his 40s explains that he has mainly rented apartments to prostitutes.
– You have to wait until the case goes to court, to see how he will explain it, replies Jensen.
– He is also charged with money laundering and breach of the Bookkeeping Act. How does he approach it?
– He actually thinks that the whole indictment is very difficult to take in. He believes he has done the necessary things as far as it can be done according to bookkeeping and accounting, Jensen replies.
The case is scheduled for 13 February in Hordaland district court, and will run until 23 February.
– Worked as an operator
A Ukrainian woman in her 30s is also charged with complicity. According to the indictment against her, she must have acted as an operator for at least four prostituted women.
She must have at least five different phone numbers listed on an escort website. She responded to inquiries and made agreements about time, place and price on behalf of the women who performed the sexual services.
The woman’s defender, Kim Brügger Villanger, does not want to comment on how the woman is responding to the charges.
