KOKOMO, Ind. -- A Kokomo businessman is breathing a sigh of relief after a Howard County jury found him not guilty Wednesday of 14 felony counts of promoting prostitution and 2 counts of corrupt business influence.
Daniel Dumoulin, the former owner of Kokomo’s adult entertainment clubs Big Daddy’s and Little Daddy’s, was cleared of the charges three years after prosecutors filed charges against him.
The case stemmed from a 2013 Kokomo Police investigation of the strip clubs.
“I knew I didn’t do anything, so I was confident we would win,” said Dumoulin. “I’ve said since day one, I didn’t do anything, and that’s why I refused to take a plea deal.”
Dumoulin’s attorney Caroline Briggs said the case against her client relied heavily on a police confidential informant who used hidden cameras to capture the solicitation of sex for money.
“Danny wasn’t taking advantage of the girls, it was this confidential informant,” said Briggs. “I think the thing that is wrong here, and you have an informant who went in and got them to do something they weren’t normally doing. You’re turning girls into prostitutes who weren’t.”
Briggs’ strategy in court was to question the police investigation, and that Dumoulin had nothing to gain from prostitution in the club because the acts happened in the lap dance room where the dancer collected all of the money.
Briggs said some of the dancers testified Dumoulin did not encourage nor was he aware of their acts.
Howard County prosecutor Mark McCann declined to comment to RTV6 about the not guilty verdict.
Dumoulin said he lost all of his businesses as a result of the criminal case.
“It’s like I’m starting all over again,” said Dumoulin.
One charge of promoting prostitution, dating back to 2010, is still pending against him.
