Socialite accused of pimping out girlfriend to Silicon Valley elite

Michael Gerold allegedly set up his girlfriend Emilia London on a 'sugar dating' website and profited from her sexual encounters with tech executives

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A San Francisco socialite named Michael Gerold is accused of pimping out his girlfriend Emilia London to Silicon Valley executives as part of a scheme to raise cash. London claims Gerold set up a profile for her on a 'sugar dating' website and arranged for her to have sex with bankers, venture capitalists, and a tech CEO, earning him over $100,000 over a year and a half. After London spoke out, more women came forward with accusations against Gerold, including claims of rape, drugging, and financial exploitation.

Why it matters

The allegations against Gerold, who has been dubbed the 'Epstein of the West,' highlight the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals within elite social circles in Silicon Valley. The case raises concerns about the abuse of power, the objectification of women, and the need for greater accountability among the wealthy and influential.

The details

According to the report, Emilia London met Michael Gerold when she was 26 and he was 53. Gerold, who frequented exclusive San Francisco clubs and claimed to have made his fortune in real estate, wooed London by taking her to ritzy dinners and private clubs, while also arranging for them to have group sex. After London moved into Gerold's high-rise apartment, he allegedly told her he was broke due to a messy divorce and set up a profile for her on a 'sugar dating' website, selling her for sex to bankers, venture capitalists, and a tech CEO. London estimated she had sex for money about 60 times over a year and a half, with Gerold reportedly earning more than $100,000.

  • In 1999, Gerold was charged in military court with the rape and indecent assault of a West Point graduate, but the charges were later dismissed.
  • Last year, a police report included 10 alleged victims of rape or drugging by Gerold.

The players

Michael Gerold

A San Francisco socialite who ran in elite tech circles and is accused of pimping out his girlfriend Emilia London to Silicon Valley executives as part of a scheme to raise cash.

Emilia London

Gerold's ex-girlfriend who claims he set up a profile for her on a 'sugar dating' website and arranged for her to have sex with bankers, venture capitalists, and a tech CEO, earning him over $100,000 over a year and a half.

Anthony Alfidi

A former San Francisco Veterans Affairs commissioner who has tried to expose Gerold's reported wrongdoings in the military community for nearly two decades.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Michael Gerold out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals within elite social circles, the abuse of power, and the need for greater accountability among the wealthy and influential in Silicon Valley and beyond.