Judge refuses to dismiss ‘sex-for-tix’ case

A Bucks County judge today refused to dismiss the prostitution case against Susan Finkelstein, the self-advertised "buxom blonde" accused of offering sex for World Series tickets.

Judge Albert J. Cepparulo found that there was sufficient evidence to try Finkelstein on charges of prostitution and attempted prostitution. Prosecutors did, however, withdraw a more serious charge of promoting prostitution, saying the lesser charges better match the accusations against her.

Bensalem Township police accuse Finkelstein of offering sex acts to an undercover officer in return for tickets to a Phillies - Yankees World Series game in October.

The 44-year-old West Philadelphia woman is scheduled for trial Feb. 24 in Bucks County Court. Her attorney, William J. Brennan, argued that there is no evidence that Finkelstein broke the law, saying that a lower court judge erred in holding the case for trial.

"You can be a slut; that's not illegal," Brennan argued at a hearing this afternoon. "Here you have to be in the business of prostitution" to have broken the law.

But Cepparulo ruled that the allegations against Finkel fit one legal description of prostitution: engaging or attempting to engage "in sexual activities as a business."

Finkelstein did not attend the hearing. Her attorney said she "had other business to take care of."

In October, Finkelstein had placed a provocative ad on Craigslist, calling herself a "gorgeous tall buxom blonde - in desperate need" of tickets. "Price negotiable - I'm the creative type!"

Bensalem Township police saw the ad and answered on it Oct. 26, dangling three tickets and asking for Finkelstein's picture. She responded with three topless photos.

A meeting was arranged at the bar of a Bensalem restaurant. An officer in plainclothes negotiated with Finkelsein while three other cops waited nearby.

At a preliminary hearing in December, Officer Michael Brady said Finkelstein described herself as a sex-loving prostitute. He said she suggestively pulled up her denim skirt and offered to have sex for tickets.

Finkelstein has denied charges. She has said she did nothing that went beyond flirtation and double entendres in hopes of talking the ticket price down.

Brennan contends that no laws were broken because no sex occurred and nothing of value was traded.