Cops: Hot dog truck was prostitution site

An East Rockaway woman ran a prostitution business out of a hot dog vending truck she often parked on Sunrise Highway in Baldwin, Nassau police said Friday.

Catherina Scalia, 45, was arrested Thursday after she offered to engage in sexual activities at her house with an undercover officer, police said.

"I'm a stripper, not a prostitute!" Scalia told police after her arrest, court records say. "And I'm sexy and I know it."

The undercover officer went to Scalia's hot dog stand on Thursday afternoon, bought two hot dogs and a bottle of water for about $5, and then asked her about some business cards that were lying around offering stripteases and other sexually oriented services, Nassau police Det. Lt. Kevin Smith said

Scalia allegedly told the officer to call her, and that she could come to his house or the officer could come to hers. At about 8:20 p.m. the officer arrived at Scalia's house, Smith said.

Court records state that Scalia offered to entertain the undercover officer and perform a sex act for $150. After Scalia made the arrangement with the officer, Nassau County vice squad officers entered the house and arrested Scalia, Smith said.

Scalia was arraigned Friday in First District Court in Hempstead. Judge Colin F. O'Donnell set bail at $1,000 cash, or $2,000 bond.

Scalia was taken to Nassau County Correctional Center after her brief court appearance. Her next court hearing was scheduled for Tuesday. Scalia was arrested in 2004 on charges of operating a sex business out of her hot dog stand. Smith did not immediately know the disposition of that case.

With Keith Herbert