Senate Passes Lombardi Bill that Shifts Asset Seizures from Prostitutes to Pimps

Addressing what he calls an unjust result of current law, Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General, introduced legislation to help law enforcement target pimps and others who derive proceeds from pandering or permitting prostitution in the state.

The legislation, 2014-S 2820, was passed today by the Senate and now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Under current law, those convicted of prostitution have been subject to forfeiture of any assets received due to their unlawful acts. But those who induce or allow another to provide those services have not been subject to the forfeiture of proceeds that result from the unlawful activity.

The legislation passed today will strike the forfeiture provision from law as it applies to prostitutes, and will add the forfeiture provision to the law dealing with “pimps,” or, as the law describes them, individuals who by any promise or threat, by abuse or by any other device or scheme cause, induce, persuade or encourage a person to become a prostitute.

“Striking the forfeiture provision as it applies to prostitutes does not mitigate the severity of that unlawful act, or the punishments resulting from it,” said Senator Lombardi. “But the law, as it currently stands, weighs more heavily on the prostitutes than on the individuals who may be forcing or coercing other individuals to perform sexual acts for money and who are benefitting financially from it.”

“This act seeks further protections for the state and its taxpayers from those who gain financially for their participation in this kind of criminal activity, and allows law enforcement to more strongly target and punish certain individuals by going after the financial gains of those who procure or provide others for prostitution,” he said.

The legislation also adds the offense of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act to those offenses subject to the forfeiture provisions.

The Senate bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton), Sen. Paul V. Jabour (D-Dist. 5, Providence), Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) and Sen. Frank Lombardo III (D-Dist. 25, Johnston).

A companion House bill, 2014-H 7620, by Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence), is currently before the House Committee on Judiciary.