San Diego
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Accused madam Karen Wilkening will go on trial Aug. 4 on 18 counts of pimping and pandering in connection with a high-class call-girl ring she allegedly operated that included as clients prominent San Diegans.
Wilkening, 43, formerly of Linda Vista, pleaded innocent to the charges before San Diego Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos.
She also faces another arraignment Thursday to set a separate trial on charges of conspiring with her former defense attorney, Buford Wiley Jr., to obstruct justice by fleeing the country in 1987.
She was arrested last month in the Philippines, where she had fled after failing to show up for her prostitution-related preliminary hearing in September, 1987.
Wiley is charged with helping her flee the country by allegedly forwarding money to her by some of the ring’s customers, including auto dealer Tony McCune.
She remains in jail in lieu of $4 million bail.
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