All but two of the accused Greater Boston brothel clients skipped their initial hearings in Cambridge District Court Friday.

The clerk agreed to file charges against the first 12 men whose cases were called, saying in court that there is “sufficient evidence to establish probable cause.”

The names of several men accused of buying sex at Cambridge-area brothels were publicly disclosed for the first time Friday. Why it matters: Federal prosecutors have stated brothel clients included "elected officials,

The hearings are set to determine if criminal complaints will be issued against the alleged customers of the commercial sex ring law enforcement shut down in 2023.