Judge warns alleged madam

A SCOTTISH-born alleged New York madam was yesterday urged to stick with her legal representatives, after a judge chastised her for going through nine lawyers in three months.

Anna Gristina, 44, originally from Kirkliston, near Edinburgh, has called on a succession of attorneys – including the son of famed spoon-bender Uri Geller – as she seeks to defend herself against allegations of running a high-end Manhattan brothel for more than 15 years.

Judge Juan Merchan warned that any incoming counsel would not be given extra time to familiarise themselves with the case.

He said: “This is your trial team. If you seek to substitute counsel, or fire counsel, the court will have to take a long hard look at that.”