North Carolina- It's called “john school.”
And by attending the little-known, 10-hour program, the two highest-profile customers implicated in Charlotte's Hush Hush prostitution scandal had their charges dismissed Monday.
Mecklenburg prosecutors dropped a solicitation charge against Skipper Beck, a 48-year-old car dealer and philanthropist. They also dropped a solicitation charge against Gastonia businessman Thomas Ray Cloninger, 55.
Both completed john school at a Charlotte treatment center, a program that treats and counsels prostitution customers.
“These were first-time offenders who were cooperative from the beginning and admitted their wrongdoing to investigators,” said Assistant District Attorney Bruce Lillie.
Beck was accused of paying $400 in exchange for sex, documents show.
“I take full responsibility for my actions, and am grateful for the support of my family,” Beck said in a written statement. “I have addressed the issue in a forthright manner with those that I love, and we look forward to moving on with our lives together.”
Defense lawyer James Wyatt said: “Mr. Beck has exhibited deep compassion and has made significant contributions to the Charlotte community, and he is appreciative of the tremendous support he has received.”
Cloninger, brother of Gaston County Sheriff Alan Cloninger, was charged with soliciting a crime against nature. He was accused of paying $1,000 for the sex and admitted having oral sex with the prostitute, court documents show.
Both were caught up in what prosecutors called one of the most sophisticated Internet-based prostitution rings in the country. Run by Sallie Saxon, the high-priced call-girl service drew some 1,900 clients and employed hundreds of hookers over several years.
Liaisons took place at hotels around SouthPark and uptown, as well as in Chicago and Las Vegas. Saxon is serving a two-year sentence at a federal prison in Lexington, Ky.
John school may have saved Beck and Cloninger jail time.
A focus on consequences
Lillie said both men completed the program at the McLeod Center, which treats addictive diseases. It's offered to first-time johns.
“Despite the notoriety of the cases, they were treated the same as any other defendant, no better and no worse,” said Lillie.
Virtually everybody who completes the five-week course sees their charges dismissed, said a center spokeswoman. Program officials say participants cross economic lines.
The john school is part of a cooperative effort with the District Attorney's Office and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to reduce solicitation. The center on Remount Road deals with addictions of all kinds.
The johns program is designed to address the “demand” side of prostitution. Program officials say about 40 to 50 men go through it every year.
“We try to help people with behavior that got them into the court system,” said Sharon Sinclair, McLeod's director of court services.
Classes of about 10 men meet two hours one night a week. They undergo group counseling, lectures and education designed to focus on the moral, emotional and health consequences of soliciting prostitutes. A vice officer tells them about the consequences of prostitution on the community.
Johns pay a $300 fee, which includes payment for HIV testing.
“At a minimum, at least people have a time to reflect for 10 hours,” said program instructor Ken Marsh, a forensic psychologist.
Paying for mistakes
Beck, who owns Charlotte's oldest Mercedes dealership, is a part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and known for charitable contributions. Friends say he already has paid the price.
“He made a mistake, he said he made a mistake, he and his family want to get on with it,” said longtime friend and motorsports executive Rick Hendrick. “He's paid a tremendous price publicly with that. They just want to get on with their lives.”
Cloninger, a vice president with Mary Jo's Cloth Store in Gastonia, declined to comment Monday. He referred a reporter to his lawyer.
“Thomas Cloninger is and has been one of the leading citizens of Gaston County,” said attorney Jim Funderburk. “(He) just made a mistake and justice has been done.”
Saxon, reached Monday at the Lexington prison, declined to discuss details of Beck's involvement with her call-girl ring.
“We're paying for our mistakes based on man's law,” she said. “But only God knows the motives of our heart and can judge.”
