Gristina's alleged sidekick turns herself in, posts bail
NEW YORK — The alleged accomplice of accused "Madam Mom"Anna Gristina turned herself in Tuesday to authorities and was later released on $100,000 bail following a hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Jaynie Baker, 30, of Brooklyn, had been wanted by the city's district attorney's office since Feb. 22, when she was indicted, along with Gristina, for allegedly running a millionaires-only, $2,000-a-visit call girl ring.
Baker was vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, when the New York Post broke the story last week that she was the mystery woman mentioned in Gristina's promoting prostitution indictment.
She learned she was a wanted woman when friends contacted her, warning her reporters had surrounded her apartment building.
"Friends told her that reporters were camped out at her place and were looking for her," said her lawyer Robert Gottlieb.
On Thursday night, Baker called asking to retain him, Gottlieb told reporters.
"On Friday, I was in touch with detectives," he said. "It would be wrong to keep describing her as 'on the lam,' " the lawyer added. "We have fully cooperated with the DA in arranging today's appearance."
Baker flew back to the United States Saturday night, landing in Newark, N.J., where she was immediately — albeit briefly — taken into custody by customs because of the open arrest warrant, the lawyer said.
"I received a text from the person traveling with her that she was grabbed at customs," he said.
Gottlieb was there at the airport, and although it was 10:30 p.m., he was able to reach lead prosecutor, Charles Linehan by cellphone. Baker was then quickly released on the understanding she was negotiating her surrender, the lawyer said.
Prosecutors have said the Gristina-Baker ring operated out of Gristina's farm in Monroe and a cramped one-bedroom apartment she rented on East 78th Street in Manhattan. Gristina, a 44-year-old mother of four, is charged with promoting prostitution and is being kept at Riker's Island on $2 million bail.