Charlotte businessman faces charge in sex ring

Charlotte businessman Skipper Beck, who owns one of North Carolina's leading Mercedes-Benz dealerships, has been charged with soliciting for prostitution - the fourth alleged "john" charged in connection with a now defunct call-girl ring called HushHush.

Beck, 48, has been ordered to appear in state court in Charlotte on Feb. 6. The solicitation charge is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum punishment of 60 days in jail.

More men may face charges for soliciting the high-priced call girls who entertained the city's civic and business elite, charging as much as $700 an hour. The Internet-based operation raked in some $3 million over seven years, with liaisons taking place in hotels in the SouthPark and uptown areas.

Sheriff's deputies served legal papers on Beck at his home Monday afternoon, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office told the Observer.

An affidavit alleges that on Oct. 19, 2007, Beck contacted Sallie Saxon, the madam of the prostitution ring who is now in prison, to ask for a prostitute.

Beck went to the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in SouthPark and met with a known prostitute in Room 229, according to the affidavit.

He paid $400 in exchange for sex, court documents say.

Beck was later interviewed, the affidavit says, "and admitted seeing an escort during this time period."

Beck couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

His attorney, James Wyatt, said: "Skipper has been charged with a misdemeanor offense. He takes full responsibility for his conduct and deeply appreciates the support of his family, friends and business associates." Wyatt declined further comment.

Evidence against Beck includes surveillance tape and recorded phone calls, the affidavit said.

Authorities investigating Saxon's prostitution ring videotaped men entering and exiting hotels and meeting with prostitutes in the lobbies.

Telephone wiretaps also captured clients talking with Saxon, some of them asking for specific call girls, some wanting to take the women out to dinner, too. The wiretaps recorded the callers' phone numbers and the time and duration of the calls.

Federal prosecutors have refused to disclose the names of the johns. Some are identified in court documents by initials.

In August 2006, authorities watched one client - identified as S.B. - leaving Room 106 of the Residence Inn on J.A. Jones Drive in SouthPark, according to court documents filed more than a year ago. A prostitute left the room a short time later.

"S.B. was followed into the parking lot and observed entering and driving off in a white Mercedes SUV," the document said. Authorities in the U.S. attorney's office on Tuesday wouldn't comment on the identity of S.B.

Beck last February made a deal to sell Beck Imports - founded by his father, Bill Beck, in 1967 - to Sonic Automotive, an auto retailer run by speedway owner Bruton Smith.

The deal has been blocked, however, by Mercedes-Benz USA, which wants Sonic to fix problems at some of its other Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

Beck is the first alleged john charged in state court, and charged directly with soliciting prostitution. Three other alleged johns pleaded guilty to federal crimes involving crossing state lines or tax fraud.

Saxon, her husband and a photographer also pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in the prostitution ring and were sentenced to prison.

The Observer reported in September that federal authorities were turning over their findings concerning dozens of alleged johns to the Mecklenburg District Attorney's Office.

Mecklenburg Assistant District Attorney Bruce Lillie said Tuesday he's met with police to review evidence against the alleged johns. Lillie said he authorized the charge against Beck, and that more men may be charged. Lillie wouldn't talk about the evidence in the Skipper Beck case.

But the prosecutor said: "It's not unusual for our office to prosecute johns. People who commit this crime in Mecklenburg County need to know they may very well face a day in court for their actions."