Cops: L.I. Woman Charged With Prostitution After Using Hot Dog Cart To Solicit Clients
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Talk about a dirty dog.
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Detectives with the Narcotic Vice Squad in Nassau County were investigating Catherine Scalia, 45, of East Rockaway, and became aware she was offering up more than kraut and relish from her hot dog cart on Sunrise Highway in Baldwin, according to police.
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Scalia was arrested Thursday after authorities said she offered to engage in sexual conduct at her home with an undercover detective in return for money. The undercover officer bought two hot dogs and noticed suggestive business cards offering services you don't usually get from a food vendor, CBS 2's Carol Gusoff reported.
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According to authorities, Scalia would inform customers to respond to her home where she would perform assorted sexual acts in exchange for money.
"The agreed amount was about $100 and then to further engage in an additional sex act -- it was another $50," said Nassau County Detective Lt. Kevin Smith.
Authorities said she would drum up business and bring clients back to her home on Maxwell Street in East Rockaway. Neighbors said they're not shocked by the prostitution arrest.
"The way she dressed, you knew something wasn't exactly right there," one woman said.
"She was leaving little cards around CVS for naked house cleaning, topless house cleaning," another neighbor said.
The hot dog truck now sits in the driveway of the home that neighbors said Scalia grew up in and where she raised triplets -- now teenagers. Neighbors also said the woman would often be seen in her underwear on the front stoop of her home.
"I always see her smoking cigarette with bra and bikini outside," one woman said.
Scalia has been charged with prostitution. She was arrested for the same crime eight years ago -- also using a hot dog truck, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.
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