Monaco Appeals Court Convicts Sass' Café Leadership for Proxénétisme
Sass' Café manager and former director receive suspended sentences amid controversial case.
The Court of Appeal in Monaco has upheld a previous ruling, convicting the manager of Sass' Café, a prominent nightlife venue, and his former director for proxénétisme, resulting in one-year suspended prison sentences.
The case, which began in 2020 following anonymous reports, initially focused on allegations of drug trafficking and prostitution linked to a network operating from Beausoleil, France, although no direct connection to the café was established in the early investigations.
As investigations progressed, the joint French-Monegasque task force turned its attention to Sass' Café, where a number of Brazilian prostitutes had reportedly worked, leading to testimonies against the café's management.
The defendants, Samuel T. (known as 'Samy') and Pascal C., were accused of institutionalizing the presence of sex workers in the establishment, profiting financially from their services, which included operating through a software system to manage workers and services.
The prosecution argued that the café's management set quotas for the sex workers while leveraging their presence for increased revenue.
Emmanuelle Carniello, the general prosecutor's substitute, asserted that conditions were imposed on the workers, including restrictions based on behavior and dress code, ostensibly to manage attendance and service quality.
In contrast, the defense maintained that their intent was to formalize the workers' presence and to address the reality of prostitution as a tolerated activity within the principality, underlining that sex workers are permitted to partake in local festivities.
Reacting to the court's decision, Antoine Vey, representing Samuel T., described the ruling as contrary to earlier findings, questioning the rationale behind pursuing his client while others in similar circumstances were not prosecuted.
Vey argued that the state’s recognition of prostitution in Monaco further complicates the rationale for the case, suggesting potential inconsistencies in enforcement practices.
Three former employees of Sass' Café were also sentenced for their involvement; these included 18 months with a €3,000 fine for former bouncer Konan Thierry D., who admitted to facilitating prostitution for clients, alongside separate sentences for others, including an ex-security agent and a former hostess.
Additionally, Veronika M., a manager unrelated to the café, received an 8-month prison term and a €100,000 fine for allegedly renting apartments to sex workers without formal agreements—actions she denied knowing were illegal.
The case has raised substantial concern regarding the legal ambiguities surrounding prostitution in Monaco, where while tolerated, soliciting and procuring prostitution are still criminal offenses under local law.
The case, which began in 2020 following anonymous reports, initially focused on allegations of drug trafficking and prostitution linked to a network operating from Beausoleil, France, although no direct connection to the café was established in the early investigations.
As investigations progressed, the joint French-Monegasque task force turned its attention to Sass' Café, where a number of Brazilian prostitutes had reportedly worked, leading to testimonies against the café's management.
The defendants, Samuel T. (known as 'Samy') and Pascal C., were accused of institutionalizing the presence of sex workers in the establishment, profiting financially from their services, which included operating through a software system to manage workers and services.
The prosecution argued that the café's management set quotas for the sex workers while leveraging their presence for increased revenue.
Emmanuelle Carniello, the general prosecutor's substitute, asserted that conditions were imposed on the workers, including restrictions based on behavior and dress code, ostensibly to manage attendance and service quality.
In contrast, the defense maintained that their intent was to formalize the workers' presence and to address the reality of prostitution as a tolerated activity within the principality, underlining that sex workers are permitted to partake in local festivities.
Reacting to the court's decision, Antoine Vey, representing Samuel T., described the ruling as contrary to earlier findings, questioning the rationale behind pursuing his client while others in similar circumstances were not prosecuted.
Vey argued that the state’s recognition of prostitution in Monaco further complicates the rationale for the case, suggesting potential inconsistencies in enforcement practices.
Three former employees of Sass' Café were also sentenced for their involvement; these included 18 months with a €3,000 fine for former bouncer Konan Thierry D., who admitted to facilitating prostitution for clients, alongside separate sentences for others, including an ex-security agent and a former hostess.
Additionally, Veronika M., a manager unrelated to the café, received an 8-month prison term and a €100,000 fine for allegedly renting apartments to sex workers without formal agreements—actions she denied knowing were illegal.
The case has raised substantial concern regarding the legal ambiguities surrounding prostitution in Monaco, where while tolerated, soliciting and procuring prostitution are still criminal offenses under local law.
