A lawyer for Mark Strong Sr. confirmed Wednesday that a conference with prosecutors is scheduled for Friday, where a settlement may be discussed.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ There may be a plea deal in the works for the business partner of a Zumba dance instructor charged with running a prostitution business from her Kennebunk studio.

A lawyer for Mark Strong Sr. confirmed Wednesday that a conference with prosecutors is scheduled for Friday, where a settlement may be discussed.

The prosecutor confirmed that she sent a letter offering to meet for a settlement conference.

The 57-year-old Strong is scheduled to go on trial Tuesday on 59 misdemeanor charges of conspiring with Zumba instructor Alexis Wright to run a prostitution business.

Strong's attorney, Daniel Lilley, tells The Portland Press Herald  his client wants a deal in which he avoids jail.

Lilley says he's removing himself from the case because Strong can no longer afford to pay him.

Strong and Wright pleaded not guilty.