Heidi Fleiss and her father have been indicted on federal charges of concealing hundreds of thousands of dollars she amassed as a reputed Hollywood madam and funneling profits into a $1.6 million home in Benedict Canyon.
Fleiss, 28, and pediatrician Dr. Paul Fleiss, 60, of the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles, are scheduled to be arraigned Monday in U.S. District Court on federal counts of money laundering, conspiracy, bank fraud and tax fraud.The grand jury indictment followed a 9-month federal investigation into the flamboyant Fleiss, who opened a "Heidi Wear" store in the Los Angeles-area city of Pasadena while awaiting trial next month on pandering and drug charges.
Fleiss could not be reached for comment Thursday, but a clerk at her store said she is "very confident about everything."
Attorneys for Fleiss called the federal charges "vindictive."
"We view this new statement against Heidi as a unnecessary and vindictive prosecution by the federal government while she awaits trial in state court," according to a statement by Anthony Brooklier and Donald Marks.
"Heidi is determined to fight this new indictment and fully expects to be exonerated," the statement said.
An attorney for Paul Fleiss said the doctor will be "completely vindicated."
"The allegations are spurious. They are without merit," said attorney Philip Heller. "The suggestion that Dr. Fleiss, who has been a model citizen throughout his life, would engage in a criminal conspiracy with his own daughter is ridiculous."
Federal investigators contend that Fleiss and her father helped conceal money amassed by Heidi Fleiss through a prostitution ring in numerous transactions at four banks.