A Navy officer could face punishment - including a discharge - after testifying yesterday that while stationed at the Naval Academy in Annapolis she moonlighted for the alleged prostitution ring run by the so-called "D.C. Madam."
Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca C. Dickinson managed the Naval Academy's food services between September 2004 and May 2007, Navy officials said. She also taught a course on leadership for the leadership, ethics and law department.
She acknowledged on the witness stand yesterday in U.S. District Court in Washington that she also worked as an escort for a service run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, known as the D.C. Madam.
Dickinson, 38, a Tennessee native who was known to her clients as "Renee," said she worked for the business for about six months starting in October 2005.
The Naval Academy declined to comment on the case, referring questions to the Navy. A spokesman there said Dickinson has been placed on leave pending further review.
"We expect the men and women who serve in our nation's Navy to adhere to a standard of conduct that reflects our core values of honor, courage and commitment," said the spokesman, Capt. Jack Hanzlik.
"Lieutenant Commander Dickinson's conduct will prevent her from wearing this uniform again in the service of our country."
Dickinson testified that she found Palfrey's firm in an Internet search in 2005, called a number and arranged to go on a "test run" with a man in Howard County for which she was not paid, according to a transcript of yesterday's testimony.
She later charged $275 for her appointments, which lasted up to 90 minutes and regularly included sex, Dickinson testified.
"I wouldn't do anything I wouldn't feel comfortable with," Dickinson testified.
Dickinson is among about a dozen former call girls who have testified this week against Palfrey.
Palfrey, 52, of Northern California, is accused of running an upscale prostitution business for 13 years in the Washington area, counting high-profile government officials among her clientele. She is charged with racketeering, money laundering and using the mail for illegal purposes.
Records seized by investigators have connected the ring to a number of prominent alleged clients in Washington, including Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican whom Palfrey's attorneys have said they may call as a witness.
