Alleged madam and mother won't fight prostitution charges

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - The attorney for a mother and daughter accused of running a nine-state prostitution ring says the women will cooperate with prosecutors. But they also want protection against harassment from their former customers. <br> <br> Jeanette Maier is accused of running the operation. She and her mother, Tommie Taylor, pleaded innocent Thursday in federal court in New Orleans, Louisiana, to prostitution, drug and money laundering charges. Their lawyer, Vinny Mosca, says the women would have pleaded guilty, but federal defendants cannot do so at an initial court appearance. <br> <br> The women allegedly ran a brothel in New Orleans for seven years. Prosecutors say it was the center of a ring that also included prostitutes and brothels in Pittsburgh, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston and Grand Rapids, Michigan. <br> <br> Officials say the brothel advertised as ``Abacus&#39;&#39; and flew prostitutes to customers around the country.