Now the hooker has taken the hawker to court. Though states have always prosecuted johns criminally, a 1994 Minnesota law allows prostitutes themselves to sue their pimps and johns. In the first test of the law, Madison is demanding at least 850.000 from Larson. accusing him of coercion. Larson wants $50,000 of his own. He’s sued Madison back, charging defamation and malicious prosecution.
Even Madison’s supporters say she’ll have a tough time prevailing. If she does, Larson’s lawyer, Bruce Beck, promises an appeal. That could take years. In the meantime? “Anyone who’s in a nonmarital relationship where there’s sex and where there’s money going back and forth,” Beck warns, “better be careful.” Or at least never refuse to turn over the car keys.
