Hot dog vendor admits to prostitution

A hot dog vendor who moonlighted as a prostitute pleaded guilty Tuesday morningto charges that she solicited an undercover Nassau police officer last week.

Catherina Scalia, 45, of East Rockaway, told Judge Anthony Paradiso in First District Court in Hempstead that she was "stripping" Thursday when she was arrested. When he asked again if she had engaged in an act of prostitution, she said "yes," and giggled. She pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor prostitution.

Paradiso ordered Scalia released on bail. He said she will be sentenced to 7 days in jail on June 18 provided she agrees to get a psychiatric evaluation and comply with treatment recommendations.

If she does not comply, she could be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail, Paradiso said.

Leaving the jail Tuesday, Scalia chanted "I'm sexy and I know it."

Even after pleading guilty to prostitution, she denied committing a "sexual act" and said all she offered after-hours was stripping and lap dances in her East Rockaway home for a $100 fee.

She said she'd be back to selling hot dogs on Sunrise Highway in Baldwin in the morning, wearing a bikini.

Police said Scalia was arrested after she offered to engage in sex at her house with an undercover officer.

The officer went to Scalia's truck Thursday, bought two hot dogs and asked about business cards on the counter offering stripteases and other sexually oriented services, Nassau Det. Lt. Kevin Smith said. Scalia told him to call her, and that she could go to his house or he could go to hers, police said.

At 8:20 p.m., the officer arrived at Scalia's house, Smith said. Court records state she offered to entertain the officer and perform a sex act for $150.