TV Movie Led to Prostitute's Disclosures
'Mayflower Madam' Gave Gobie Idea
By Bill Dedman
Washington Post Staff Writer
August 27, 1989 Prostitute and pimp Stephen L. Gobie settled in with his "girls" inhis Georgetown town house one evening in late 1987 to watch "TheMayflower Madam" on television. As Candice Bergen portrayed upscalemadam Sydney Biddle Barrows, Gobie's companions had an idea.
"The girls turned to me and said, 'You're just like her,' " Gobierecalled in an interview yesterday. "That's when I realized that I wasin the middle of a developing story that could be worth somethingsomeday. I told them, 'One day, don't be surprised if you see me on TV.'"
Gobie's dream has come true. His accusation that Rep. Barney Frank(D-Mass.) knew that Gobie had operated a prostitution service out ofFrank's Capitol Hill apartment became national news after it was firstreported Friday by the Washington Times.
Frank, one of two openly gay members of Congress, confirmed Fridaythat he paid Gobie for sex, hired him with personal funds as an aide andwrote letters on congressional stationery on his behalf to Virginiaprobation officials, but Frank said he fired Gobie when he learned thatclients were visiting the apartment.
Frank, a leading House liberal, likened himself to Henry Higgins, whoin "Pygmalion" tries to transform a cockney waif into a member ofEnglish society. Gobie dismissed that as "garbage." "This is not thecase of the poor waif who is being sheltered," Gobie said. "This was thefirst time he felt good in a relationship. Here's a guy who didn't havea social life until he was 45."
Gobie's craving for public attention also has produced an uproar inMontgomery County. Gobie said he maintained a relationship with GabrielA. Massaro, the principal of Chevy Chase Elementary School, and used anoffice at the school in late 1987 to make telephone calls and have oneclient meet a prostitute.
Massaro, who has been placed on administrative leave, has beenunavailable for comment.
Gobie said his motive was largely financial. Gobie had offered hisstory to WUSA-TV (Channel 9), then the Washington Times. Later he cameto The Washington Post, saying he was looking "to start a bidding war"for "a better offer" than the Washington Times made. He and the Timessay he was not paid.
Gobie also said he wants "to show up people in positions of power whoabuse other people."
Gobie expressed no regret for any damage done to the careers of Frankand Massaro.
Although Frank and Gobie differ in some details of theirrelationship, they agree on the story line. They met on April Fool's Day1985. The representative answered a classified ad in the WashingtonBlade, the local gay weekly. "Exceptionally good-looking, personable,muscular athlete is available. Hot bottom plus large endowment equals agood time."
Then in his third term, the 45-year-old representative had not yetstated his homosexuality publicly. He paid Gobie $80 in cash for sex.
Gobie, then 28, was one of many young men "freelancing" in maleprostitution. Gobie said he was born in Boston and grew up in a militaryfamily. He has felony convictions for possession of cocaine, oral sodomyand production of obscene items involving a juvenile.
Gobie and Frank say they became more friends than sexual partners.Gobie says he attended a bill-signing at the White House, and helpedcoach and played left field for Frank's team in the CongressionalSoftball League. "I was the star player," Gobie said.
Frank began to help Gobie financially, paying his attorney andcourt-ordered psychiatrist. The House member also said he hired Gobie asa personal aide, housekeeper and driver, but Gobie said that was a"cover story" concocted for probation officers.
In late 1985, Gobie says, he began to use Frank's apartment and twoother locations for prostitution. Frank knew about the prostitution allalong, but it was never explicitly discussed, Gobie says.
"He knew exactly what I was doing," Gobie said. "It was prettyobvious. If he had to come home early {from work}, he would call home tobe sure the coast was clear . . . . He was living vicariously throughme. He said it was kind of a thrill, and if he had been 20 years youngerhe might be doing the same thing."
Frank denies that he knew, saying he learned from his landlord andkicked Gobie out in August 1987. Gobie supports this part of Frank'sstory.
Gobie said his disclosures are only beginning. "I think I'll justslap a book together. Sydney Biddle Barrows made in excess of a million.I thought 'Capitol Offenses' would be a nice title."
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