‘D.C. Madam’ Deborah Jeane Palfrey, who communicated with employees as ‘Miz Julia’, appeared in court today, where the judge granted her request for new counsel. Her civil attorney appealed to the Supreme Court last week, saying she was given inadequate criminal representation.

U.S. District Court Judge Gladys Kessler ruled Monday that Palfrey will get a new court-appointed public defender, but the judge denied Palfrey’s request for a $150,000 budget to hire New York lawyer Harald Fahringer. Earlier in the hearing, the judge rejected a request for $500,000 for a lawyer.

The judge also rescinded an order for Palfrey to wear an electronic monitoring device, but has ordered her to check in three times a week with California’s pre-trial services.

After her court appearance Palfrey released a statement decrying her persecution at the hands of the government and asking her “many, many clients” to come forward to clear her name. She says she’s sorry Deputy Secretary of State Randall Tobias was forced to resign after it became known he was a longtime client of her “legal sexual and erotic” business.

Finally, Palfrey put a challenge to the media:

I would also ask the press and media to put aside the titillation of the “Who’s Who” list — at least in part — and instead investigate the disturbing genesis, the confounding evolution and the equally alarming continuation of this matter. I believe there is something very rotten at the core of my circumstance and without the money to hire my own investigators, I must rely upon your acumen and talent to undercover the truth.

Aw Miz Julia, you really know how to sweet talk somebody. We’ll get right on that.

Photo by Flickr user Terecico.