DISTRICT BRIEFING

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

'D.C. MADAM' Case

Suspect Says She Has National Security Details

The alleged "D.C. madam" is arguing in court papers that the fact that Muslim men used her escort service before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks might have played a role in the government's effort to prosecute her.

Deborah Jeane Palfrey is predicting that she might need to divulge classified information that has sensitive national security implications -- perhaps including the identities of Middle Eastern customers -- to defend herself against racketeering charges. She is asking a federal judge for a secret hearing to discuss the information.

Prosecutors, who have charged Palfrey with running an illegal prostitution ring in the District from 1993 to 2006, have declined to comment on Palfrey's claims.

-- Carol D. Leonnig

NORTHEAST CRIME

3 Men Hurt in Reported Drive-By Shooting

Three men were wounded last night in a reported drive-by shooting near North Capitol Street and Randolph Place NE, police said.

The victims -- 18, 22 and a third whose age was not known -- were treated at Washington Hospital Center for injuries to the extremities that did not appear to be life-threatening. The three arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle shortly after 7 p.m., police said.

Witnesses told police that three or four males in a car, possibly a charcoal gray Dodge Stratus, fired shots at the victims before speeding away. No arrests had been made last night.

-- Jonathan Mummolo

NORTHWEST ROAD PROJECTS

Freeway Ramp Repairs Rescheduled

The D.C. Department of Transportation has pushed back the schedule for single-day closings of the ramp that leads from Interstate 66 and the Potomac River Freeway to the Whitehurst Freeway, one of the city's commuter routes.

Under the original plan for the repair work, the ramp was to close from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. this coming Friday and again Sept. 21. Weather problems during the August phase of the project led the District to reschedule the upcoming phase for Sept. 14 and 28.

-- Robert Thomson

POPLAR POINT PLANS

Ward 8 Residents 'Outraged' by Fenty's Actions

D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) and residents from Ward 8 sent a letter to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty saying they are "outraged" by his decision to break off negotiations with D.C. United to build a soccer stadium at Poplar Point and seek other development proposals.

District leaders had been drawing up plans for a mixed-use development at Poplar Point, a 110-acre plot of land along the Anacostia River that will be transferred by the federal government to the District over the coming year. But in July, Fenty (D) announced he would seek competitive bids for the site before making decisions about what will be built there.

In the letter, Barry and the residents say Fenty has "disrespected and misled us about the development at Poplar Point." They added that any proposal that does not include a soccer stadium, as well as affordable housing, will be "opposed by the community." "

-- David Nakamura