- Olivia Benson: So, I'm walking down 10th Avenue with Noah...
- Amanda Rollins: A lot of anger there. Rape in a strip club? Certainly credible.
- Katriona Tamin: It says she went to NYPD in December. I'll check OLCS.
- Odafin Tutuola: Must've been a local precinct.
- Amanda Rollins: Something happened to her.
- Olivia Benson: Yeah.
- Katriona Tamin: There were two rapes reports filed in Manhattan South on that date. One was a DV, and the other one was ours.
- Olivia Benson: But neither is her. This is an outcry. Fin and Kat, check local strip clubs.
- [to Rollins]
- Olivia Benson: Check out the billboard company. Whoever she is, I wanna find her.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: [at a strip club] Why am I here again?
- Odafin Tutuola: Well, in case you haven't noticed, uh, since you left, we're short on male detectives.
- Olivia Benson: You painted a billboard so someone would pay attention to you. I'm here. I'm paying attention. Talk to me.
- Monica Russo: It's a few weeks before Christmas, place is packed, Markeevious wants just me and him in the VIP room.
- Olivia Benson: Was that the first time?
- Monica Russo: No. Usually it's me and another girl or two. That night, as soon as I shut the door, he starts taking his pants off, and I'm like, "Whoa, slow down, buddy," but...
- Olivia Benson: He's not listening to you.
- Monica Russo: He started putting on a condom, a-and I'm like, "Wrong move, buddy," you know, I'm trying to joke my way out of it.
- Olivia Benson: Right, like you've probably done a million times before.
- Monica Russo: Yeah. But that night, I was scared of him.
- Olivia Benson: Why?
- Monica Russo: He had this... blank look on his face. And he pinned me against the wall. And I tried to fight him, and he threw me on the floor.
- Olivia Benson: Tell me about that.
- Monica Russo: I was alone. I-I... I was trapped. I was... I was yelling, a-and the music was so loud, nobody could hear me, and-and... and he just... he overpowered me. He-He was moving me around like a piece of furniture, any way he wanted. And, uh, you know, I-I struggled, and... at a certain point, I just gave up. And he raped me. I just tried to go back on stage. I was trying to pretend like nothing happened, you know, and Markeevious was still there, and he waved at me, and that's when I told Jared. And Jared said, "Markeevious is a good customer, so I should shut up."
- Olivia Benson: Okay. And that's when you went to the local precinct.
- Monica Russo: They never even returned my calls. So I started to imagine blowing things up.
- Olivia Benson: Blowing things up?
- Monica Russo: With paint. Calling 'em all out.
- Katriona Tamin: Dancers seem pretty tough.
- Amanda Rollins: Maybe. Maybe they're just covering.
- [noticing something]
- Amanda Rollins: Hold up. Look familiar?
- Katriona Tamin: That's the bike from the poster. That can't be a coincidence. She worked here.
- Amanda Rollins: Yeah, and Jared is ex-NYPD. If something did happen, his buddies might bury it.
- Katriona Tamin: Yeah. Time to go to the local precinct.
- Amanda Rollins: Little tip. Maybe check in with the captain first.
- Noah Porter Benson: [Benson sees poster drawings of an alleged rape] Mom, look. There's another one. Is it a movie?
- Olivia Benson: I don't know, but it's certainly not a kids' movie.
- Noah Porter Benson: Whoa! Look up there!
- Olivia Benson: [seeing a billboard] Run ahead, honey. I'll catch up, okay?
- Jared Desanto: Monica Russo, that's who you were asking...
- Amanda Rollins: Tell me, did you lie any better when you were a cop or is this the best you got?
- Odafin Tutuola: Rollins, take five?
- Amanda Rollins: [leaving] Yeah, just so you know, Jared, your buddy Donahue already told us that he dumpstered her complaint as a favor to you.
- Odafin Tutuola: Take ten?
- Monica Russo: I told you, I don't need your help.
- Olivia Benson: Hey, Monica, I get why you're reluctant, but a name has come up. Markeevious Ryan.
- Monica Russo: Took you long enough. Have you talked to him yet?
- Olivia Benson: Not yet, but can I come in?
- [Monica lets her in]
- Olivia Benson: [seeing her paintings] Wow.
- Monica Russo: Don't worry, I'm not painting you.
- Olivia Benson: Hey, you're furious. I get it. I'm furious, too, at Markeevious, at your club manager, and at that local cop that you reported to.
- Monica Russo: I can't help you with that.
- Olivia Benson: Well, you can tell me what happened to you, and we could make a case.
- Monica Russo: You don't give up, do you?
- Olivia Benson: Monica, this is Dara Miglani, and she's willing to represent you if you want.
- Dara Miglani: How you holding up, Monica?
- Monica Russo: Can you just get me out of here?
- Olivia Benson: We're talking to the ADA. We're gonna try to get you arraigned as soon as we can.
- Dara Miglani: Once we know the charges, we'll figure out our strategy.
- Monica Russo: Hey, I-I'm not pleading guilty. To anything.
- Dara Miglani: Good for you.
- Isadora 'Izzy' Correa: When Markeevious and I first hooked up, people thought I was arm candy. Now, what does a brother like that need arm candy for? His whole world's a sweetshop.
- Amanda Rollins: Ms. Scott, the rape allegation against your former husband is credible.
- Isadora 'Izzy' Correa: I'm sure it is. Guys like Markeevious just get lazier. The candy jar's gotta be right at their fingertips.
- Amanda Rollins: Sounds like there were other accusations against Markeevious.
- Isadora 'Izzy' Correa: Some girls say he forced them, that he was rough. That's what he got paid for. Being rough and fast and big.
- [to an assistant]
- Isadora 'Izzy' Correa: Just give me one second.
- Odafin Tutuola: These girls have names?
- Isadora 'Izzy' Correa: Probably, but I'm not giving them an opportunity to sue. That money belongs to me, not some dumb bitches who can't get out from under him. Is there anything else?
- Dara Miglani: Jan was a sports journalist before she was assaulted.
- Amanda Rollins: Why don't you tell me what happened to you.
- Jan Erickson: Um... I had lucked into an interview with Markeevious in his hotel room. I was excited. But I could tell he wasn't taking me seriously. He kept asking if I had a boyfriend. He touched my breast. I pushed him away. He grabbed me. His face was... blank. He assaulted me.
- Amanda Rollins: Did you tell anyone? Or go to the police?
- Jan Erickson: [softly crying] No. I went home and took a bath. I can't even watch sports anymore. I feel like I'm running away in my head as fast as I can, like something ugly is chasing me. It's me. An ugly me.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Uh, Your Honor, pursuant to People v. Molineux, the State seeks to include evidence of two prior rapes committed by the defendant, one in 2018, one in 2016.
- Judge Namazi: I've read your brief, Mr. Carisi. Neither woman filed a report?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Not at the time, but they have gone on record. The assaults described go to modus operandi. There are consistent details in all three victims' accounts.
- Judge Elana Barth: Because they were coached. Your Honor, these women only came forward after they saw Ms. Russo's lawyer on TV. Obviously, they're seeking publicity. Does Ms. Miglani really expect us to believe she didn't coordinate their stories?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Your Honor, the defense can cross on motive. These women have nothing to gain. Initially, they were afraid to make a accusation against a powerful celebrity.
- Judge Namazi: As sympathetic as I am to the many reasons a rape victim may not be willing to come forward, these statements are unsubstantiated, and I'm concerned about collusion.
- Judge Elana Barth: Thank you, Your Honor. Don't worry, Ms. Miglani. You can always harass my client with a civil suit.
- Judge Namazi: That's enough, Ms. Barth. You know better. Mr. Carisi, I'm excluding these witnesses.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Hey, how you doin', by the way? I thought you were supposed to take a few weeks.
- Amanda Rollins: I was so bored. I'm okay.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Are you sleeping? You're not eating enough.
- Amanda Rollins: Well, the good news, I think I'm... I'm thinking about quitting therapy.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: You wanna talk about that?
- Amanda Rollins: [dodging] Aren't you late for court?
- Olivia Benson: I would've appreciated a call.
- Dara Miglani: Asymmetrical warfare. The element of surprise is key.
- Olivia Benson: You do know that I'm on Monica's side?
- Dara Miglani: You are, but I can be louder. And quicker. And my tactics worked. I've been contacted by two other women Markeevious raped.
- Olivia Benson: Here in New York?
- Dara Miglani: Out of state, but goes to pattern. They'll talk to SVU with me in the room. In fact, they're both on the way here. You can thank me later.
- Monica Russo: [showing the squad a new mural she painted] What do you think?
- Odafin Tutuola: What are those keys?
- Monica Russo: Seven. One for each year of his sentence.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Do I have to have wings?
- Olivia Benson: Yeah, you do.
- Monica Russo: You both do.
- Judge Elana Barth: You consider yourself an artist, don't you, Ms. Russo?
- Monica Russo: I am an artist.
- Judge Elana Barth: How many shows have you had?
- Monica Russo: It's really hard to get shows when you're starting out, especially in New York.
- Judge Elana Barth: So, none. And you've never sold any of your artwork, have you?
- Monica Russo: No.
- Judge Elana Barth: In fact, your biggest success as an artist to date has been that billboard.
- Monica Russo: I wanted attention to the...
- Judge Elana Barth: Attention? You got it! Was that your plan all along? To accuse a famous man of sexual assault and then get your art all over Instagram.
- Monica Russo: I had to! Nobody was listening to me, and he just sits there while I'm up here baring my soul.
- Judge Elana Barth: Well, isn't that what you do for a living, Ms. Russo? You bare yourself.
- Monica Russo: I'm a performer.
- Judge Elana Barth: Oh, are you performing right now? Is this an act? Because I gotta hand it to you, you are creative.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Objection.
- Judge Elana Barth: Withdrawn. Nothing further.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Now, it was your idea to go into the champagne room that night, wasn't it?
- Markeevious Ryan: Yes. But she wanted to.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: How'd you know that?
- Markeevious Ryan: Come on. She's a stripper. I mean, I'm a celebrity. They all want a piece of me.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: I get it, I get it. It just... it's actually why I'm kind of surprised that-that you had to pay for sex.
- Markeevious Ryan: I didn't have to. Just trying to keep it simple. Avoid the drama. These free-range women, they just...
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: You mean the women who-who you don't pay for? Who are free to say no?
- Markeevious Ryan: You know how it is. One way or another, you always end up paying for it.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: And these women, they... let's face it, they always want something.
- Markeevious Ryan: Yeah, they're all smiles and eyelashes, all "Markeevious this, Markeevious that." They just want to rub up on me. You know, get some of that glow, some of that money.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: So you've had other women come after your money before?
- Markeevious Ryan: All the time. Ask my ex-wife. She'll tell you all the lawsuits I've had to fight.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: The lawsuits? For what, raping women?
- Judge Elana Barth: Objection.
- Judge Namazi: Your client opened the door.
- Judge Elana Barth: Did you get a rape kit?
- Monica Russo: The officer I reported it to told me there was no point.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Objection, Your Honor. The officer verified that he took her report.
- Judge Namazi: Sustained.
- Judge Elana Barth: And then he threw that report out when he decided that her complaint was unfounded.
- Monica Russo: He wasn't even listening to me!
- Judge Elana Barth: You sound angry, Ms. Russo. Are you?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Objection! I-It's badgering.
- Judge Namazi: I'll allow the question.
- Amanda Rollins: You okay?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Not really, no. Jury's been out for days.
- Amanda Rollins: It's been three hours, Carisi. Did you just throw up?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: No. Yeah. Waiting for the verdict, it's... it's different when it's your case.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: I know this isn't easy, Ms. Russo.
- Monica Russo: No, it isn't.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Having the defense imply that because you took the money, you weren't raped.
- Monica Russo: I don't want money. I want justice.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Being called a liar because you're a stripper, does that make you angry?
- Monica Russo: It makes me furious.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: And they can say whatever they want about you. Doesn't strike me as fair. Not when the man who raped you is just... is just sitting there.
- Judge Elana Barth: Objection. Is there a question here?
- Monica Russo: [after an outburst in court] I know, you told me where the line was, and I crossed it. I screwed up.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: No, you didn't.
- Dara Miglani: You're fine.
- Judge Elana Barth: Excuse me. What the hell was that? Amateur hour? Keep it up, you're gunning for contempt.
- Dara Miglani: Oh, go back to your rapist client.
- Amanda Rollins: [Barth storms off] She's pissed. You got to her.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Not me. Monica. My guess is it worked.
- Olivia Benson: I heard you got bloodied today.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Rollins tell you that? It was more like slaughtered.
- Olivia Benson: Well, you're still here.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: I'm writing my resignation letter. I'm gonna lose this case. Ms. Hadid already knows. She had her spies in the courtroom. I'm done.
- Olivia Benson: Carisi, you're not a quitter. No. No, it was your first day in court. You got knocked down, so you get back up again.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: What if I'm not cut out for this? You know what the worst part is? I didn't protect Monica.
- Olivia Benson: Hold on a second. Listen to me.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: I should've objected more. But, you know, if-if you object too much, then the-the jury that the witness is-is hiding something, so I didn't know what to do, and I just left her alone up there, a target.
- Olivia Benson: And Monica is a lot tougher than you think.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Every aspect, every moment of her life, open to dissection, while Markeevious Ryan, he's just sitting over there. He's smiling on the sidelines. She said it herself, Liv. It's not fair.
- Olivia Benson: So use that. Figure out a way to get him into the game.
- Judge Elana Barth: Just to be clear, Ms. Russo, and forgive me, I'm still getting the ins and outs of the stripper business, but you were initially paid $800 that night?
- Monica Russo: The club gets more than half of that.
- Judge Elana Barth: But you accepted my client's $200 tip?
- Monica Russo: Okay, I was on autopilot.
- Judge Elana Barth: Just answer yes or no.
- Monica Russo: Yes.
- Judge Elana Barth: So you're saying that my client raped you, and then afterwards, you and the club collected $1,000.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Asked and answered, Your Honor.
- Judge Namazi: Ms. Barth, move on.
- Odafin Tutuola: So the painter told you to take a hike.
- Olivia Benson: Well, she has trust issues with NYPD. Can you blame her? So as soon as she sees that we're taking her assault seriously, it's gonna go a long way toward a rapport.
- Odafin Tutuola: Uh-huh. Well, it'd be easier to investigate if she'd at least tell you what happened.
- Olivia Benson: All right, but for now, we know when she was assaulted and where. So go find out by who.
- [seeing his look]
- Olivia Benson: It's a strip club, Fin. You'll be fine.
- Markeevious Ryan: Monica's saying I raped her?
- Odafin Tutuola: Yes, she is.
- Markeevious Ryan: Damn. I'm like a mark for these chicks. Man, I should've known better than to have been alone with her.
- Amanda Rollins: So you and Monica were in the champagne room together, just the two of you.
- Markeevious Ryan: It's not the first time.
- Amanda Rollins: Oh, right, but there's no cameras, nice and private, get away with anything.
- Markeevious Ryan: Or a stripper could lie about it.
- Toni Sparks: Our dancers are safe. Cameras everywhere.
- Odafin Tutuola: Even in the VIP room?
- Toni Sparks: Not inside, but I got my bird dogs.
- Katriona Tamin: Bird dogs?
- Toni Sparks: I post a bouncer outside the private rooms. Girl just has to holler and they'd be in the door.
- Officer Donald Donahue: Look, I know you SVU guys have big hearts, but this wasn't a real rape.
- Olivia Benson: A real rape? Is that because they knew each other or is that because she dances in a strip club? Do me a favor. Have your captain call me.
- [leaving with Fin]
- Olivia Benson: When are these dinosaurs gonna die out?
- Odafin Tutuola: No time soon. They have no natural predators.
- Olivia Benson: We're looking for a blonde with a bird tattoo on her hand. Somebody at Topaz has to know who she is.
- Jared Desanto: These girls, they got cash register eyes.
- Odafin Tutuola: So she knew this guy was rich.
- Jared Desanto: Well, all the girls do. Athletes and strippers, like scotch and soda.
- Odafin Tutuola: He's a regular? Sounds like a shakedown. Give me his name, I confirm, make my captain happy.
- Jared Desanto: Oh, I wish I could, but, um, our reputation is staked on privacy. The high rollers trust us to be discreet.
- Odafin Tutuola: [meeting up with Rollins outside] Looking for a big spender, an athlete, and it wasn't his first time.
- Amanda Rollins: Didn't you say you saw Markeevious Ryan when you were here?
- Officer Donald Donahue: December, stripper? No, I don't think so.
- Odafin Tutuola: Think harder.
- Olivia Benson: Any other offices here named Donnie?
- Officer Donald Donahue: [seeing the poster drawings] Oh, yeah, that girl. Yeah, it's coming back to me.
- Olivia Benson: So, she was raped and you didn't notify SVU?
- Officer Donald Donahue: It was unfounded. I called the club manager. Turns out she was making the whole thing up. Just looking for a payday.
- Odafin Tutuola: Who, Jared? He's ex-NYPD. Are you looking out for him or her?
- Officer Donald Donahue: Oh, come on. I did my due diligence. The complaint was BS.
- Olivia Benson: We're gonna need to see that report.
- Officer Donald Donahue: Well, when it didn't pan out, I...
- Odafin Tutuola: You tossed it? Do you remember the girl's name?
- Officer Donald Donahue: M something? Uh, Mary? She had dirty blonde hair. A tat of a bird on her hand.
- Monica Russo: Now they send women cops?
- Olivia Benson: We're from Special Victims Unit. Monica, we saw your billboard.
- Amanda Rollins: And we know that the club, the local precinct tried to bury it.
- Monica Russo: Mm-hmm. Yep. That's why I'm here. There are rules. Everyone follows them. There are roles. Everyone knows them. Get out of line, you're never coming back.
- Amanda Rollins: But not at the strip club?
- Monica Russo: No. Dancer decides to give something extra, it's more money for everyone. You tip out the bouncer, manager, even the freaking DJ.
- Olivia Benson: Monica, what happened to you wasn't "giving extra." You didn't choose this.
- Monica Russo: [sarcastic clapping] You got it.
- Olivia Benson: What we'd like to do is help you.
- Monica Russo: Okay.
- [taking out her phone]
- Monica Russo: Smile.
- [taking their picture]
- Monica Russo: You can be my next billboard.
- Moet: Hey. How you two doing tonight?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: We're good.
- Odafin Tutuola: Just admiring the view.
- Moet: I don't know about choir boy here, but you, I figured you for more than a tourist.
- Odafin Tutuola: I'm really here for my man.
- Moet: Oh.
- Odafin Tutuola: He's looking for a girl he met a month ago here. A blonde.
- Moet: Honey, last week, I was a blonde. You're gonna have to do better than that.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: She's got a tattoo of a bird on her hand. She's a painter.
- Moet: Oh, Monica. She quit. Last I heard, she was working at Dungeon.
- [seeing Carisi's blank look]
- Moet: S&M. Probably not your speed.
- Odafin Tutuola: Hey, what's up, Moette? What's happening?
- Moet: It's Moet. I remember you. Trying to be all undercover that night.
- Amanda Rollins: You made him from the get, huh?
- Moet: Yep.
- Amanda Rollins: Then you know why we're here.
- Moet: Monica. She's a drama queen.
- Odafin Tutuola: Like her story about Markeevious?
- Moet: Have you seen him? He may be retired, but he was an all-pro running back. All right? He's still jacked, and he's rich. He owns this fancy steakhouse. Why would he need to rape some bony-ass white chick?
- Ashley B.: Toni, TJ keeps playing that old-school white boy crap.
- [seeing Fin and Kat]
- Ashley B.: Sorry.
- Toni Sparks: Give us a minute.
- Ashley B.: Cops? You're here about the billboard.
- Odafin Tutuola: You know about that?
- Ashley B.: All I know is she doesn't work here. Toni takes care of us, not like some places I could name.
- Katriona Tamin: Really?
- Toni Sparks: Yeah, like your last club, Topaz?
- Ashley B.: Their VIP room? More like "act sexy while you try not to get raped" room.
- Monica Russo: [working at a strip club] Ariana, sniffer's row is standing room only.
- Ariana Lopez: Dollar wavers? There's a pod of whales in the back.
- Jared Desanto: Rape? No, no. Not here. All right, my girls, they see me as their favorite uncle. They'd tell me.
- Amanda Rollins: Any of your girls artists on the side? Drawing, painting?
- Jared Desanto: Artists, these girls? Maybe something they'd tell their customers.
- Monica Russo: [the message she left on a billboard] On December 10th, I was raped. I told my boss. I told NYPD. They tried to shut me up, but the silence makes me louder.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: All right, I'll... I'll talk to my boss. I'll-I'll ask him not to push for jail time.
- Dara Miglani: Ask? She has a right to be angry.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: So I've heard.
- Dara Miglani: Soon as you arrest Markeevious, she'll calm down.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Maybe. Look, this can't look like I arrested him because she chained herself to his restaurant.
- Dara Miglani: Why not?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Listen, we both want Markeevious to go down, right? So I need Monica focused. I need her prepping for her testimony, not making headlines.
- Dara Miglani: [her phone buzzes] Here we go.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: What? What?
- Dara Miglani: Markeevious has gone on the offensive. He's all over Twitter saying he's the victim, and he's gonna sue Monica for harassment and defamation.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: He's bluffing. Look, the last thing this guy wants is to be deposed. Do me a favor. Make sure your client doesn't overreact.
- Dara Miglani: Thanks for the call.
- Olivia Benson: Hi, absolutely. I hear you're representing Getz's victims. You must be busy.
- Dara Miglani: I am. That's a good thing. These guys always get the best defense money can buy. Survivors need advocates.
- Olivia Benson: They do.
- Dara Miglani: How's Monica doing?
- Olivia Benson: She is angry and unrepentant and, I must warn you, unpredictable.
- Dara Miglani: Defiant. I live for that.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: So, your complaining witness has withdrawn cooperation again.
- Amanda Rollins: She's frustrated. We all are.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: And the suspect's saying what? That it was consensual? That he paid for it?
- Olivia Benson: That's what they all say. You can contextualize that for the jury.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Yeah, if I have a credible victim, and she sounds like a wild card. How's she gonna present on the stand?
- Olivia Benson: Well, she doesn't have a lot of faith in the system, but I think I can get her there.
- Amanda Rollins: [showing them her phone] She's ahead of us. Have a look.
- Monica Russo: Nobody cares. Nobody wanted to listen to me.
- El Niño: You hear that?
- Monica Russo: Yeah.
- El Niño: Markeevious the rapist.
- Monica Russo: Are you listening now? There's a rapist walking around in these streets, in this restaurant. Does anyone care?
- Olivia Benson: So, two prior victims of Markeevious with the same M.O. that Monica described.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: The fruits of Dara's press conference? She's a hustler, I'll give her that.
- Odafin Tutuola: Can they testify?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: It's a jump ball. Under the Molineux rule, prior bad acts are not admissible to show propensity to commit a crime.
- Olivia Benson: But they are if they show pattern.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: That's right, but we got a bigger problem here. Neither of these women filed a police report.
- Olivia Benson: Monica did file. And until we arrest Markeevious, we're saying that her word isn't good enough.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: All right, I'll get an arrest warrant. I'll request a Molineux hearing. In the meantime, tell your friend Dara that she's got enough publicity. As of now, and I'm dead serious here, she needs to keep her clients out of the news.
- Judge Colin McNamara: On the charges of disorderly conduct, making graffiti, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief, how do you plead?
- Dara Miglani: Not guilty. My client has no priors, isn't a flight risk. We request ROR.
- Judge Colin McNamara: Mr. Carisi?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: The People have no objection.
- Judge Colin McNamara: Granted. Do yourself a favor, Ms. Russo. Stay away from paint for a while.
- Monica Russo: Yeah, I can't promise that.
- Dara Miglani: Your Honor, she will.
- Judge Colin McNamara: I hope so. ROR granted. Next case.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Ms. Miglani, I've heard a lot about you.
- Dara Miglani: Is that code for "I can be a pain in the ass"?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Yeah, pretty much.
- Dara Miglani: There was no collusion.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: These three women were never in the same room together? Get your client ready to testify, because as of now, this is all on her.
- Judge Elana Barth: Mr. Carisi, they tell me tomorrow's your first trial. I'd promise you I'd go easy, but that's just not how it works.
- Monica Russo: I had danced for him before, and that night, I was paid to go into the champagne room, but getting raped was never part of the deal.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Can you point out the man who raped you, one... once more, please?
- Monica Russo: Mm-hmm.
- [pointing at Markeevious]
- Monica Russo: That's him. Markeevious Ryan.
- Odafin Tutuola: What the hell's going on?
- Monica Russo: [on a bullhorn outside a precinct] My name is Monica Russo. I was raped by Markeevious Ryan at the Topaz Club.
- Odafin Tutuola: Her attorney gave you the heads-up?
- Olivia Benson: Oh, not in so many words. But I brought this upon myself. I wanted somebody who would fight for Monica.
- Monica Russo: I was exercising my right to free speech against a man who raped me, and now he's suing me!
- Dara Miglani: [taking the bullhorn] While Monica sat in a holding cell, Markeevious greeted customers at his steakhouse. He continues to enjoy his freedom and the perks of his fame while Monica fights to have her voice heard. We are here to ask any other victims of Markeevious to come forward and to contact us, and to demand that the NYPD arrest Markeevious Ryan.
- Monica Russo: Markeevious Ryan is a rapist!
- Olivia Benson: [making her way through the crowd] Excuse me. Excuse me.
- Monica Russo: [getting handcuffed] Leave me alone. Let me go! Why don't you arrest the rapist?
- Olivia Benson: Hey, Captain Benson, SVU. Sergeant, Sergeant, this is... this is my case.
- Sergeant Chuck Inslow: Take that up with my captain. She's under arrest.
- Olivia Benson: [Monica is being arrested] Hey, hey, hey. Take it easy. She's cuffed. Don't be so rough with her.
- Monica Russo: Cowards, all of you!
- Olivia Benson: Monica, Monica, listen to me. Stop talking, okay?
- El Niño: This is harassment. This is police harass...
- [a patrol cop takes his phone]
- El Niño: No, you can't do that!
- Olivia Benson: Just get in the car. Not a word, all right?
- El Niño: This is police harassment!
- Olivia Benson: Listen to me. I'm gonna get you a lawyer.
- Markeevious Ryan: Look, I've partied with dozens of girls. I'm going through a divorce right now. I'm not cheating, I'm just lettin' off a little steam.
- Odafin Tutuola: Okay, let's say this is a shakedown. Why hasn't she asked you for money?
- Markeevious Ryan: [shrugging] What I do know? What happened, I paid for. $800.
- Amanda Rollins: You're saying you did have sex.
- Markeevious Ryan: Consensual. I left her a $200 tip.
- [seeing two customers]
- Markeevious Ryan: Oh, one sec.
- [to Fin]
- Markeevious Ryan: Look, I know you're not gonna arrest me for patronizing a prostitute, but I have customers to attend to.
- [going to greet them]
- Markeevious Ryan: How are you? How you doing?
- Amanda Rollins: So he's not guilty of rape 'cause he's getting a divorce?
- Odafin Tutuola: Wonder what his ex has to say.
- Olivia Benson: He's claiming consensual, which puts him in the room with her.
- Amanda Rollins: His ex said that there were more allegations, but she's refusing to name names.
- Olivia Benson: [surprised to see her] Monica.
- Monica Russo: What the hell did you say to them?
- Olivia Benson: What are you talking about?
- Monica Russo: The club. They sent me all of my stuff back.
- [dumping the contents out]
- Monica Russo: It's all ripped, it's all covered in crap. Oh, and they sent me this.
- [showing them a dead rat in a plastic bag]
- Monica Russo: Yeah.
- Olivia Benson: Wow, Monica, I am... I'm so sorry. Why don't you come into my office so we can talk?
- Monica Russo: Why?
- Amanda Rollins: Markeevious conceded that he had sex with you. He said he tipped you after...
- Monica Russo: After I was raped. Yes, I took it. I was in shock.
- Olivia Benson: We understand that, but let's just go...
- Monica Russo: You know what? You know what? You're all fired.
- Amanda Rollins: Monica is a fighter, Carisi, but she's getting beat by the system.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: You want me to take the arraignment?
- Amanda Rollins: I'm not asking you to put your finger on the scale...
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: No, it's not a big deal. Trust me, trust me. Anybody who can get out of an arraignment, they're happy to.
- Amanda Rollins: Huh.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Hey, Crosby. Hey, you happen to know who, uh, who caught the Monica Russo case?
- John Crosby: [looking through his files] Uh, Russo. Russo. The stripper who chained herself to a steakhouse?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Right.
- John Crosby: Lucky me.
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Actually, why don't you let me take that off your hands? I'm due in arraignment court this morning anyway. I'll let Hadid know.
- John Crosby: Knock yourself out. Here, take the rest of them while you're at it.
- Monica Russo: Yeah, I'm angry.
- Judge Elana Barth: Angry enough to defame my client by painting a billboard?
- Monica Russo: Yeah, because he raped me!
- Judge Elana Barth: So you claim, but isn't what you're really angry about is that you have to dance at a strip club for a living instead of working as an artist?
- Dominick Carisi Jr.: Objection!
- Judge Elana Barth: Withdrawn.