Jarec Wentworth Trial

[Nebost]

I agree that Donald Burns is not so different from most of us here on this board. However, I thought this poster's comment, regarding DB's relationship with Sean Cody's Ashton, was a hoot!

 

'He really helped me through a terrible breakup of a 17 year relationship' .... for $ 200K ...... I'm sure all of DB's friends are saying 'Bitch, how many nights did I spend on the phone holding your fat hand ....and I didn't even get a $ 20 bill ??'

 

I also wonder if now escorts are lined up at DB's door, as his testimonial makes for some really good unintentional advertsing...4-5K per month, private jets, lavish parties...not a bad gig!

[+ ArVaGuy]

The David Geffen revelations are interesting but not anything new. Though the part about SC model Taylor testifying he's afraid for his safety spilling the dirt on Geffen was an eye opener.

[+ FreshFluff]

Verdict:

 

Guilty on all 6 counts. He faces 6-9 years in prison and will be sentenced in September.

 

 

I'm no fan of Brank; he committed a serious crime, and that he should pay for it. But, it's sad that Brank couldn't afford a private attorney. Even with all the hard Twitter evidence, I wonder if a great attorney could have come up with a better defense strategy.

[+ Gar1eth]

I haven't followed all the trial. But extortion does need to be punished. But I agree with many who think Burn's wealth has probably shielded him from prosecution for hiring. Of course I think the oldest profession should be legalized too.

 

(Back when I was an innocent virginal teenager or young adult, my mother and I were watching some movie -or possibly a documentary-about prostitution. My mother said she thought it should be legalized. I don't know if that was just a spur of the moment comment or a well-thought out belief. I was quite shocked at the time. I don't know whether she still believes this or not. )

 

Gman

[+ FreshFluff]

His wealth shielded him in that he probably had smart lawyers who insisted that the FBI offer him immunity before he incriminated himself.

 

Also, prosecuting him would have had a chilling effect on others who might want to report extortion. I'm sure that the Feds took that into account.

[+ Gar1eth]

His wealth shielded him in that he probably had smart lawyers who insisted that the FBI offer him immunity before he incriminated himself.

 

Also, prosecuting him would have had a chilling effect on others who might want to report extortion. I'm sure that the Feds took that into account.

 

 

So does this mean that the government considers extortion a worse crime than hiring?

 

Gman

[+ quoththeraven]

So does this mean that the government considers extortion a worse crime than hiring?

 

Gman

 

Compare the potential penalties. Also keep in mind male escorting is less of a law enforcement priority (close to no priority) than female escorting.

 

I'm relatively certain the answer is "yes."

 

Also, I doubt having a private attorney would have made a bit of difference. There was no defense. And most public defenders are reasonably competent; the big issue is caseload.

 

Wentworth could live in a country where those who can't afford it get no representation whatsoever.

[maninsoma]

Verdict:

 

Guilty on all 6 counts. He faces 6-9 years in prison and will be sentenced in September.

 

 

I'm no fan of Brank; he committed a serious crime, and that he should pay for it. But, it's sad that Brank couldn't afford a private attorney. Even with all the hard Twitter evidence, I wonder if a great attorney could have come up with a better defense strategy.

 

Was he offered a plea bargain? Seems pretty obvious he was guilty, but maybe if he had agreed to plead guilty to a lesser offense he would have had a lighter sentence.

[Irtwo]

Interesting trial. Per the comments in the blog link, Burns said under oath he was not given immunity.

[BabyBoomer]

Let's say JW is sentenced to the max of 9yrs, does anyone know how much of that time he would have to serve before he's eligible for parole?

 

~ Boomer ~

[Tonyko]

NO fan of closeted gay Republicans, regardless of whether they actively work against us or just idly sit by. BUT this trial proves the balance has shifted. In the past the verdict would have reflected the mentality that being gay he DESERVES to be extorted, especially by a straight boy corrupted by this life of gay porn and prostitution that he was forced into by his circumstances who is the real victim here as his lawyer would point out, preyed upon by a wealthy older letch. In fact there probably wouldn't have even BEEN a trial since working boys have done this to closeted rich men for decades who remained silent out of fear. IF everything I've read is true, the verdict is warranted. (and hopefully a heads-up for others thinking of doing the same)

[+ ArVaGuy]

Reading the coverage and comments on Zach's site is disgusting. The ridicule and contempt is palpable. SC porn stars who have been lauded on that site for their good looks, nice dicks, and performance, are now derided as "prostitutes".

 

Donald Burns is vilified for hiring young men for sexual gratification and portrayed as a conniving lecherous pervert. There are also calls for his prosecution for hiring escorts. I wonder if his political views had been more in line with Gay orthodoxy, i.e. Democratic rather than Republican, if he'd been afforded more sympathy. His wealth also is a factor as class warfare is the norm in today's society.

 

I've hired four of the ten guys on that list and I ain't no millionaire. Furthermore, I paid far lower fees than Mr. Burns. There's bound to be clients on this board, active participants or lurkers, who've hired these young men.

 

We are all being painted with the same brush as Donald Burns and Jarec Wentworth. That includes every client and every escort in this community. Anyone here could have been caught up in the exact same circumstances.

[+ WmClarke]

Reading the coverage and comments on Zach's site is disgusting. The ridicule and contempt is palpable. SC porn stars who have been lauded on that site for their good looks, nice dicks, and performance, are now derided as "prostitutes".

Agreed.

 

Donald Burns is vilified for hiring young men for sexual gratification and portrayed as a conniving lecherous pervert. There are also calls for his prosecution for hiring escorts. I wonder if his political views had been more in line with Gay orthodoxy, i.e. Democratic rather than Republican, if he'd been afforded more sympathy. His wealth also is a factor as class warfare is the norm in today's society.

Agreed.

 

I've hired four of the ten guys on that list and I ain't no millionaire. Furthermore, I paid far lower fees than Mr. Burns. There's bound to be clients on this board, active participants or lurkers, who've hired these young men.

Agreed.

 

We are all being painted with the same brush as Donald Burns and Jarec Wentworth. That includes every client and every escort in this community.

Agreed.

 

Anyone here could have been caught up in the exact same circumstances.

And here we part company. I would never have been caught up in such a situation, because I would never give in to an extortion attempt. And I'm pretty sure most of the guys I've hired would never blackmail a client. I guess I could be wrong about that--but I doubt it.

[+ ArVaGuy]

Agreed.

 

Agreed.

 

Agreed.

 

Agreed.

 

And here we part company. I would never have been caught up in such a situation, because I would never give in to an extortion attempt. And I'm pretty sure most of the guys I've hired would never blackmail a client. I guess I could be wrong about that--but I doubt it.

 

Neither would I. My point is that this situation could happen to anyone. More like a "there but for the grace of God go I" situation.

 

I'd never expect any of the guys I've hired to get themselves into to such a stupid circumstance.

[jawjateck]

I know a former member of this community who was blackmailed. The extortioner was very arrogant. He probably tried it again until he pulled it on the wrong person, and only then, did he realize what a dumb ass he really is.

 

I don't believe alot of stuff written in this forum, but there is sufficient naivete and vulnerability expressed here to know that some guys could be targeted.

[Nebost]

Neither would I. My point is that this situation could happen to anyone. More like a "there but for the grace of God go I" situation.

 

I'd never expect any of the guys I've hired to get themselves into to such a stupid circumstance.

 

I agree with you, most of us on this message board , clients and escorts, are pretty much the same as Donald Burns and his Sean Cody buddies. However, I think we all fall outside the norms of what the bulk of society regards as respectable behavior. For the StraightUp reporter, I agree, his tone is deplorable. He operates in the same circles as we (escorts, clients, DB, SCguys) do.

[BgMstr4u]

We would all like to live in a world where this little hobby is simply a matter of taste and (financial) capacity. Where all the escorts are not only as good looking and skilful as they say they are, but who are also paragons of discretion and honesty. And ditto for the clients (well, maybe not always so much in the looks department!). That would be nice. But we don't live in that world, or only partially.

 

I admire men who stand up to bullying of any kind, and in this case, stand up to an extortioner who would ruin his client. A cautionary tale. I have been hurt before -- twice physically, once financially. I did not have the financial or emotional wherewithal to pursue the perps but I lived through it. So I am very glad that a man with the resources and the balls to go after this little **** did so and won. And nothing but praise for the government which helped him get justice.

[+ FreshFluff]

From the Str8UpGayPorn guy:

"[burns] took advantage of their socioeconomic statuses (i.e., uneducated, young, and broke) to satisfy his own selfish desires to have sex "without commitment" (again his words).

 

My goodness.

[+ VeryHappyCustomer]

I know one of the young men involved. I thought he conducted himself well during the investigation, and I'm glad I hadn't misjudged him.

 

About two years ago, one of my regulars fell into the black hole of meth addiction and tried to extort money from another client -- who arranged a violent response. I saw the aftermath: a much less pretty face and a broken arm. I bought my buddy a plane ticket home and told him I would call his mother if he tried anything with me. I never heard from him again. I was so sad for him... but knew I'd dodged a bullet.

[+ quoththeraven]

Let's say JW is sentenced to the max of 9yrs, does anyone know how much of that time he would have to serve before he's eligible for parole?

 

~ Boomer ~

 

Not an expert, and if you have the time, you can probably figure it out by looking up the relevant law and seeing where it leads you, but general rule of thumb seems to be serving 2/3 of sentence assuming good behavior and release at earliest possible moment. Might actually be less.

 

I agree with you, most of us on this message board , clients and escorts, are pretty much the same as Donald Burns and his Sean Cody buddies. However, I think we all fall outside the norms of what the bulk of society regards as respectable behavior. For the StraightUp reporter, I agree, his tone is deplorable. He operates in the same circles as we (escorts, clients, DB, SCguys) do.

 

The difference is the perceived wealth and value. Burns was paying a lot more and worth a lot more than most of the people on this forum -- was the car given out of his own free will or in response to blackmail? -- so he was a more likely target.

 

The "tone" of the blogs following gay porn and porn stars is deplorable, as are most of the comments. They engage in tabloid-style trash-talking and turn on those who've misstepped or who aren't "hot" enough looking with an instinct for the jugular that makes them look even more hypocritical than most media, mainstream or otherwise.

[+ FreshFluff]

Actually, Zach is right about Don's selfish desires..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTW3WzHGQMU

[tedbear]

Let's say JW is sentenced to the max of 9yrs, does anyone know how much of that time he would have to serve before he's eligible for parole?

 

~ Boomer ~

 

In the federal system, there is no parole.

[robberbaron4u]

If the allegation is proven, I would want him fried up as I prefer my breakfast bacon: well-done and crisp.

[caliguy]

I know a former member of this community who was blackmailed. The extortioner was very arrogant. He probably tried it again until he pulled it on the wrong person, and only then, did he realize what a dumb ass he really is.

 

I don't believe alot of stuff written in this forum, but there is sufficient naivete and vulnerability expressed here to know that some guys could be targeted.

Couldn't that be more attributed to lusting after those so called straight or straight acting guys. Guys who might have A list looks but zero personalities.

 

When you hang with someone like Jerec you get what you get. Yes he's hot but so what. According to those that knew him he's an extremely narcissistic POS but that just never mattered to someone like Burns. Just be hot. I'd say Jerec and Burns fit together well though.

 

To me this will never happen because I don't put looks over personality. Not my world. Not my care.