A Denver district court jury awarded a former escort $1.7 million in damages last month after concluding that one of her clients, a high end Denver attorney, was guilty of outrageous conduct and invading the woman’s privacy by “outing” her to her family, friends and colleagues.

“I just feel like this was the final battle and I won,” said Jerene Dildine, 44, who agreed to tell her story to CBS4 hoping it helps other women in similar situations. “I almost killed myself over being ashamed. I want other people to know you don’t have to die from shame.”

The attorney who was found liable in the Dildine case, Sean Saxon, told CBS4 he plans to appeal the jury verdict.

Dildine told her story to CBS4 in a series of interviews. She was a teacher working in area public school systems, primarily teaching Spanish. But in 2013, with fewer teaching hours, rising housing costs and a recent divorce that hurt her financially, she said she began searching Craigslist for part time work and decided to try bikini modeling to supplement her income. On one modeling job, she said the client asked her if she would exchange sex for money.

“I did it,” said Dildine. “And it was a very easy transition into that.”

Using an alias, she created a profile on a prostitution website offering sex for $300 per hour.

“I had a lot of doctors, lawyers, professors, retirees, single people who didn’t have time to date. I liked it. It was very empowering. I had control over my life and I had options.”

In November of 2013, she was contacted through the website by Sean Saxon, a Denver attorney who specialized in drug and medical device litigation. He worked at a downtown Denver law firm. Although the relationship began as an escort-client relationship, within a short time it turned romantic.

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