From Glamour to Coercion (Image Credits: Nypost.com)
A Bay Area man known for rubbing shoulders with tech leaders faced explosive claims from his former partner that he orchestrated a sex-for-cash scheme targeting elite professionals.
From Glamour to Coercion
Emilia London met Michael “Mickey” Gerold in 2021 at a North Beach nightclub, sparking a relationship that thrust her into San Francisco’s exclusive social scene.[1]
The 26-year-old nursing assistant soon enjoyed lavish dinners, private club access, and trips to resorts, all arranged by the 53-year-old Gerold, who portrayed himself as a wealthy real estate investor and wounded Army veteran.[1]
After she moved into his Financial District high-rise apartment in early 2022, Gerold revealed mounting financial pressures from a recent divorce.[1]
He then created a profile for her on a sugar dating website, scheduling paid encounters under the guise of “personal training” sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes.[2]
Details of the Alleged Scheme
London described handing over cash payments to Gerold after meetings with men described as heads of tech companies, hedge fund managers, venture capitalists, investment bankers, and a biotech CEO.[1]
These sessions occurred five to 15 times a month at his apartment or a family-owned condo in Lafayette, netting him more than $100,000 over about 1.5 years, according to her account in family court filings.[2]
- Clients paid $800 to $1,200 per encounter.
- Gerold managed the calendar, tracking 118 appointments from March 2022 to February 2024.
- A spreadsheet documented 21 repeat clients with photos and descriptions.
- Bank records showed over $137,000 in transfers and cash deposits during the period.
London journaled her growing distress, feeling dehumanized and trapped as Gerold monitored her via security cameras and pressured her through texts.[1]
She left in April 2024, prompting a temporary domestic violence restraining order that a court later denied, ruling she had participated voluntarily.[1]
A Trail of Other Accusations
Beyond London, a 2025 San Francisco police report identified Gerold as a suspect in assaults involving 10 women, including claims of rape and drugging.[2]
Earlier incidents traced back to 1999, when military authorities charged him with raping a West Point graduate; the case was dismissed for lack of evidence.[1]
Former partners echoed patterns of love-bombing followed by coercion: one ex-fiancée said he pressured her to strip, while a second wife accused him of draining her retirement funds.[1]
Anthony Alfidi, a former San Francisco Veterans Affairs commissioner who tracked Gerold’s activities for nearly two decades, labeled him “the Epstein of the West.”[1]
Questions of Deception and Elite Ties
Gerold cultivated connections at members-only clubs like The Battery and events such as Bohemian Grove, associating with figures including venture capitalist Tim Draper and restaurateur Michael Mina.[1]
Investigations revealed fabrications, including unearned military honors like a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, leading to his expulsion from veterans groups.[1]
He also spent nearly $20,000 on online reputation management and misused donations from a veterans nonprofit.[2]
Denials Amid Ongoing Probe
Gerold dismissed the pimping claims as fabrications by a “pathological liar,” insisting any money covered rent and expenses.[2]
He denied all rape and drugging allegations, threatening defamation suits.[1]
San Francisco police continue investigating through their Special Victims Unit, reviewing reports but filing no charges to date.[1]
Key Takeaways
- Gerold allegedly profited over $100,000 from 60+ paid encounters.
- 10 women named in a recent police report on assaults.
- No criminal charges filed; family court rejected permanent restraining order.
As scrutiny intensifies on San Francisco’s hidden power dynamics, the case underscores vulnerabilities behind glittering facades – what risks lurk in elite networks? Share your thoughts in the comments.
