ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orange County man accused of running a brothel out of his home, which was frequented by a state lawmaker and Maitland's vice mayor, was sentenced Thursday.
Mark Risner's east Orange County home was raided last year and his detailed client list was confiscated.
Risner, 56, pleaded no contest to all 13 of the prostitution charges against him, including racketeering.
Prosecutors said because it was Risner's first offense, they agreed not to put a conviction on his record.
Risner was sentenced to 15 years' probation and 1,000 hours of community service. He has to pay the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation $9,300 in restitution.
Defense attorney Buck Blankner said Risner made about $30,000 in a year.
"He seems like a very good man in most other ways. He got himself into a little predicament and we hope it's resolved," said Blankner.
Last year, neighbors to Risner complained to Channel 9 about all the traffic coming and going.
That traffic included Florida State Rep. Mike Horner, from Osceola County and Maitland vice mayor Phil Bonus, who is an attorney.
Both men resigned shortly after the news broke.
Risner still lives at the same house and told Channel 9's Kathi Belich that it is quiet at the house now. He said he plans to keep things quiet and make a fresh start.
MBI officials said they decided to not arrest the prostitutes or their clients. They said the prostitutes cooperated with investigators.
The maximum sentence could have been 50 years in prison. The judge told Risner if he ever gets involved again in any similar business similar, including topless dancing or tanning booths, he could end up having to serve it that time.
Risner told Belich he is making a new start.
WFTV
