Dr. Catalina Machado was the founder of Proud Life and the leader of a sex trafficking ring.
History[]
Machado was the owner of a massive company called Proud Life which specialises in treating homeless people. However, she was also a criminal mastermind who trafficked women and forced them to have sex with other men, including Justin Howard, Ruben Ortiz, and Paulie Banducci, in exchange for nice housing. The Special Victims Unit started investigating when a woman complains that she thinks one of the female tenants in Holt Towers, Rosa Estrada, is using her apartment for prostitution.
However, the SVU later found out that Rosa was being trafficked in exchange for housing. After catching two of the members of the trafficking ring, they later find out that Machado is the real mastermind behind the trafficking scheme. After being caught, Machado's attorney, Evan Braun, offers to tell them the Deputy Mayor, a former HUD Secretary, three congressmen, and two senators were involved in the sex trafficking ring. (SVU: "Wolves In Sheep's Clothing")
Before Machado could testify at the trial of Congressman Howard, she was found dead on the roof of a car after jumping from her balcony. Ortiz and Banducci were also killed before they could testify. (SVU: "And The Empire Strikes Back")
It was later revealed that Howard's attorney, Myron Gold, arranged Jenna Evans' abortion after Howard got her pregnant, and the murders of Banducci, Ortiz and Machado. However, due to his connections, Gold was not charged. (SVU: "Never Turn Your Back On Them")
Appearances[]
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2 seasons, 2 episodes):