Two arrested for running high-end prostitution ring

King County sheriff's detectives have broken up a large prostitution ring in the Seattle area, and they said they've recovered a "black book" with the names of hundreds of clients, including men who work for major corporations headquartered in Seattle.

The two operators of the ring, a 49-year-old woman who lives in Kirkland, and her 31-year-old daughter, who lives in Arlington, were arrested. They have not been charged.

The two women used the Internet to advertise a high-end escort company called the "Garden of Eden." The Web site had pictures of available companions, a calendar of when they were available and prices. Appointments could be made online.

Some of the escorts were brought in from out of state — Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles — to work here, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Customers were carefully screened, said sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart.

For example, potential customers had to leave a work number, and someone inside the prostitution ring would call the number, saying it was to confirm a dental appointment, he said.

This was done to make sure the customer wasn't a police officer, Urquhart said.

The Sheriff's Office will not release the names of the corporations the customers worked for, to avoid tainting the companies, Urquhart said.

The men in the book, however, will likely be contacted soon, detectives said. They could face misdemeanor charges of patronizing a prostitute.

In the 1990s, the two women were involved in another prostitution ring in the area called "Affluent Affairs."

An informant tipped off the Sheriff's Office about the Garden of Eden.

Michael Ko: 206-515-5653 or mko@seattletimes.com