D.A. Calls Witness to the Prostitution

Under a grant of immunity, a woman testified Tuesday that she worked for a year for Jody Babydol Gibson’s alleged international prostitution ring, charging clients as much as $1,000.

April White, listed as victim “April W.” in the complaint against Gibson, was the first prostitute to take the stand in the trial of the alleged Hollywood madam. White said they first met at a Studio City restaurant in May 1998, and Gibson immediately put her to work, sending her that evening to a client.

“We talked about that I would work for her, and that I’d have sex with clients and that I’d get paid for it,” White, 34, said. It would be a “40-60 split,” she said, with Gibson getting 40% while she kept 60%.

The testimony came during Gibson’s trial on pimping and pandering charges in a case made notorious by accusations of misconduct by investigating police.

White signed the immunity deal, which shields her from prosecution for misdemeanor prostitution, on Tuesday shortly before she testified. Gibson faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Gibson showed concern during White’s testimony and occasionally conferred with an assistant of her attorney, Gerald Scotti.

Scotti contended earlier that authorities would not be able to prove Gibson was involved in anything other than setting up dance parties and shooting pornographic videos. The defense also alleged police misconduct, including evidence tampering, failure to prosecute male clients and improper actions by undercover officers.

With her attorney, Michael L. Galey, standing by her side, White said a girlfriend referred her to Gibson. She had worked at a restaurant and as a substitute teacher but became a prostitute because she had trouble paying bills, White said.

After an initial phone call, White said she met Gibson for the first time at the Studio City restaurant.

“She said always I should bring my own condoms, and we talked about use of condoms,” White said.

From their initial meeting until Gibson’s arrest last June, White saw about 20 clients for Gibson--”sex acts, for the most part,” she said.

Breaking into tears several times on the stand, White also described her encounter with undercover LAPD Det. Shoukry Ethnasios, who testified last week.

“He was very nervous and shy,” she said. He asked about her “boss” and she offered him “a massage to calm him down.”

“Eventually, we ended up without clothes on,” she said of their meeting in a hotel room, after which Gibson was arrested.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard F. Walmark asked her: “Was the police officer--what turned out to be a police officer--a gentleman?”

White replied: “Yes, very much so.” But she then began crying so hard that Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lloyd M. Nash called a break.

In cross-examination, White admitted she had worked as a prostitute before meeting Gibson, and that the decision to do so was her own.

Scotti also questioned her motive for appearing in court.

“You wouldn’t be here at all testifying if it wasn’t for the [immunity] agreement,” Scotti said. “You either testify against Ms. Gibson, or you’re going to be charged with a crime, is that right?”

White responded, “Yes.”