Cambridge Councilor Charged in Brothel Case

Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner has been publicly named as one of the 28 men accused of soliciting services from a high-end brothel ring operating in Cambridge, Watertown, and Virginia. The alleged brothel network, led by Han Lee, reportedly generated over $5.6 million from more than 9,400 client visits, primarily involving Asian women. Toner, described by his lawyer as a man of high character, did not attend the court hearing but expressed regret for the scandal's impact on his loved ones. Charges have been filed against Toner and other accused individuals, with arraignments scheduled in the coming weeks. The brothel’s operators have pleaded guilty to charges related to the operation, which included screening clients and charging fees between $350 and $600 per hour. Toner, who has served on the Cambridge City Council since 2022, also leads the education consulting group Cambridge Strategic Partnerships.