Feds say woman accused of running a high-end West Side brothel still at it, should be locked up

Federal prosecutors say the woman accused of running “the premier Dungeon of Chicago” on the West Side has sought to resume the business that led to her indictment under a new name, in spite of a judge’s order, and should be locked up.

They claim Jessica Nesbitt, also known as Madame Priscilla Belle, has been trying to recruit workers for The Premier Playhouse of Chicago, which appears to simply be a new name for Kink Extraordinaires in the 2400 block of West Augusta.

They said they found a job ad seeking “fetish friendly staff” on the website sexyjobs.com, three months after a magistrate judge ordered Nesbitt to “get a different line of work” and told her to avoid “activities of a prurient nature.”

“We need charming, classy individuals who love the spotlight and who can welcome curious newcomers and seasoned Kinksters to our incredible and luxurious five-floor playhouse,” the ad reads. “We need staff to monitor events and parties, give guided tours, manage KinkBNB room rentals, teach kinky group classes and more. Apply today!”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Devlin Su asked U.S. District Judge Robert Dow in a motion Tuesday to revoke Nesbitt’s bond and put her in jail over the ad while she awaits trial.

Nesbitt faces a 13-count indictment accusing her of prostitution and financial crimes revolving around Kink Extraordinaires. The business has been advertised on its website as offering “beautiful, psychologically sophisticated Kinksters” who “play out of a private five-floor dungeon with multiple, fully equipped themed rooms.”

One Kink Extraordinaires ad bragged of themed rooms such as the “Classroom,” “The Medical Room” and “The Gourmet Kitchen.” Another boasted of the “Sissy Room,” “The Roof,” and the “Man Cave” which offered “complimentary Scotch.”

Barry Sheppard, Nesbitt’s attorney, has said, “there’s absolutely no evidence, whatsoever, that my client engaged in any acts of prostitution.” He has added that, “fetish-based eroticism is not unlawful.”

His partner, Adam Sheppard, told the Sun-Times on Tuesday that, “this is the first allegation of any noncompliance with (Nesbitt’s) bond conditions, and we’re going to investigate the allegations.”

In September, U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez told Nesbitt, “get a different line of work at this stage. And if you win the case, then you go back.” But Barry Sheppard pushed for further clarification, asking, “what about being on the telephone with somebody? Phone sex is legal.”

“No activities of a prurient nature, may I say that much,” Valdez told him. “So a different line of work altogether.”

But in his motion Tuesday, Su noted a new ad seeking workers for The Premier Playhouse of Chicago used the word “Kinksters” and described a “five-floor playhouse” that matched the description of Nesbitt’s Kink Extraordinaires building on Augusta. The ad was discovered in December.

Records from sexyjobs.com show the post was last updated Dec. 26 from an account registered to Nesbitt, the billing address matches the Augusta building, and the phone number has previously been used by Nesbitt, according to Su.

Su also said the IP address used to access the account was registered to a Comcast account subscribed to by Nesbitt at her Chicago home. He said it’s all evidence that Nesbitt has either restarted — or tried to restart — her business under a different name.

The ad in Su’s motion sought “Dom Performers.” On Tuesday, ads could also be found on the website seeking “Sales/Marketing” and “Club/Bar Staff” workers for the same business.

“Trying to hire employees naturally means that the employer is earning revenue, or expects to earn revenue, with which to pay the employees,” Su wrote. “That is an even more egregious and willful violation of court orders.”