The director of the Derby Parking Authority has been charged with trying to obtain the services of a prostitute.
Leo Moscato, 46, was arrested April 29, according to Lt. Robert Harrison of the Naugatuck Police Department.
Moscato, a prominent business owner, landlord and part-time parking authority director, was one of 18 people arrested in two months during a Craigslist sting by Naugatuck police.
He is charged with criminal attempt of patronizing a prostitute.
“If anybody wants to know what happened, tell them to come down to my place, have a good meal and I’ll talk about it then,” Moscato said Monday afternoon when reached at his business at 275 Main St.
The sting started when police posted a picture of a woman’s body, clothed, on Craigslist.
“We had a picture posted of a female from the neck down, wearing jeans and a tank top,” Harrison said. “Basically, we posted the ad stating she’s looking to meet people and listed a monetary rate — so much for an hour, so much for a half hour.”
Police said Moscato called a phone number listed in the ad, not realizing he was contacting police. He allegedly made arrangements and met the woman in Naugatuck, Harrison said.
“He responded and met up with a female undercover detective,” Harrison said. “Once a sexual act was solicited, he handed over money and was placed under arrest.”
Harrison declined to say how much money Moscato allegedly handed over.
Moscato posted a $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Waterbury May 12.
Moscato has been director of the city’s parking authority since 2007. Upon his appointment, he was paid $22.50 an hour for the part-time job, according to minutes from the parking authority.
He’s also a chef who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and recently launched “Leo’s Down Under,” which has been packed each weekend since opening.
Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri said he heard about the arrest Monday morning. He said he was shocked — and pointed out Moscato is innocent until proven guilty.
The city’s parking authority, created by the Aldermen in 1958, doesn’t answer directly to City Hall. Its budget comes from money collected at parking meters and the parking garage.
The Aldermen appoint members of the Parking Authority, who, in turn, supervise Moscato, the director.
In his position as director, Moscato manages the day-to-day operations of the authority from the municipal garage on Thompson Street and presents monthly reports to the Aldermen.
Staffieri said he will be in contact with members of the authority.
“I’ll be in contact with the chairman. They’ll do an investigation, to see if any of it was done during city time and to see whether it violates a code of conduct, and to see how this can best be handled,” Staffieri said.
Naugatuck detectives conducted the sting with help from the state’s attorney’s office in Waterbury. They examined the ad before it was posted on Craigslist.
The sting took place in March and April.
Other locals charged in the sting include:
- Matthew Alterio, 19, of Oxford
- Nelson Novais, 42, of Shelton
- Ricky Potette, 34, of Ansonia
On the heels of the Naugatuck sting, attorney General Richard Blumenthal issued a subpoena Monday to Craigslist, Inc., demanding evidence the company is taking steps to fight prostitution ads on the website.
“The Craigslist brothel business seems booming — belying its promise to fight prostitution,” Blumenthal said in a prepared statement.
