Last night, I found myself watching a documentary about Heidi Fleiss, and her attempts to open a male brothel in Nevada. Like most HBO documentaries, I found myself unable to turn away. Partly, it was to stare, wide-eyed, at the plastic surgery Fleiss has had, which makes her look like Skeletor. I also found myself scratching my head in wonderment at the chaos which attends every aspect of her life. This includes her current imbroglio involving a legal brothel owner, federal indictments, substance abuse, and a homeless guy who occasionally lives with her.
Since this is a blog about law school and legal stuff, what I found most amazing about the whole thing is the misdirected empathy that Fleiss had for animals. You remember Tony Soprano and the ducks? Well I’ll be dammed if Fleiss isn’t obsessed with tropical birds. I don’t follow these things closely, but to best of my knowledge, Fleiss has never said she was sorry for what she did. Never apologized for facilitating the exploitation of the women who worked for her. Never said she was sorry if they got the Clap, or AIDS, or the holy hell beat out them by a disgruntled John.
But there she was, getting out the sack cloth and ashes for a red macaw named Dalton. Plastic Faced, Black Hearted Sociopath crying her eyes out over a bird. It was just such a bizarre spectacle.
It made me wonder what it would be like to spend your days working amongst the criminal element, either prosecuting or defending. Anyone out there got any thoughts?
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Why do you use “sociopath” to describe her?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM IV), the following are the characteristics that may exhibit themselves in a sociopath:
Glibness and Superficial Charm;
Manipulative and Conning (They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims);
Grandiose Sense of Self (Feels entitled to certain things as “their right”);
Pathological Lying (Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests);
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt (A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way);
Shallow Emotions (When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises);
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation (Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common);
Callousness/Lack of Empathy (Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others’ feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them);
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature (Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others);
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency (Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet “gets by” by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.);
Irresponsibility/Unreliability (Not concerned about wrecking others’ lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed);
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity (Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts);
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle (Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively);
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility (Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily).
I kid you not, if you watch the documentary, you will see almost every single one of these traits represented.
There is probably something very wrong with me, but without a certain level of criminality – I find the law TOTALLY boring.