Defendant: No broken laws in Maine Zumba case

KENNEBUNK, Maine (AP) — The business partner of a Maine woman accused of using her Zumba dance studio as a front for prostitution says the charges against him are untrue.

Mark Strong Sr. of Thomaston has issued a statement in which he says he’s “made some bad choices but have broken no laws.” He says he’s confident he’ll be acquitted at trial if the 59 misdemeanor counts aren’t dropped before then.

Strong, who’s an insurance agent and private investigator, says he became involved by investigating possible police harassment of dance instructor Alexis Wright.

He says he had a personal relationship with Wright but never paid her for sex. He says he co-signed for her lease and loaned her business money that was repaid.

Both Strong and Wright have pleaded not guilty.