ALFRED – Alexis Wright and Mark Strong Sr., the two central figures accused of running a prostitution business from Wright’s Kennebunk Zumba studio, will be tried at separate trials, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Justice Nancy Mills signed a decision Wednesday rejecting a motion by prosecutors asking her to reconsider a Nov. 9 decision and try Wright and Strong together in a single trial.

Mills’ written order was not immediately available, but the York County Superior Court clerk’s office confirmed that Mills had issued a decision rejecting the prosecution’s Nov. 15 motion to reconsider joining the two cases.

Wright, 29, of Wells, has pleaded not guilty to 106 counts, including promotion of prostitution, engaging in prostitution, invasion of privacy, conspiracy, tax offenses and receiving welfare benefits when ineligible.

Strong, a 57-year-old businessman from Thomaston, has been indicted on 59 misdemeanor charges of promotion of prostitution, violation of privacy and conspiracy to commit those crimes. He also has pleaded not guilty.

The case has drawn international attention, in part because Wright allegedly kept detailed records of more than 150 clients, including some prominent figures.

At least 64 men have been charged as “johns” in the case. Of those, at least eight have already been found guilty of engaging a prostitute – a misdemeanor – and fined.


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