Prostitution bust at Mummers clubhouse

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Two Downtowners’ officers allegedly tended bar at their Whitman Fancy Brigade clubhouse, 148-50 Snyder Ave., while prostitutes — including a Bella Vista woman — performed sexual acts with men throughout the building.

Police received an anonymous Internet tip a few months ago and launched an investigation, Lt. Charles Green of the Citywide Vice Enforcement Unit said Thursday.

Lawrence Crovetti, 65, of Feasterville, is believed to have rented the facility for these gatherings on the second Tuesday of the month although police are not sure how long they have been occurring.

“Our undercover officers actually made contact with Crovetti,” Green said. “That’s how we got access to the party.”

Officers attended Sept. 13 and again with more officers Tuesday when they witnessed 50 to 60 people throughout the building including scantily clad women.

“Undercover officers were solicited by 10 of the women for sex for money,” Green said.

A $30 cover charge included beer and hoagies while drinks at the bar were extra along with the sexual acts that ranged from $30 to $100, Green said.

The alleged bartenders, John Murray, 56, of Deptford, N.J., and Alfred F. Sanborn Jr., 44, of the 2400 block of South Third Street, were serving liquor even though the club does not have a liquor license, Green said.

“Our investigation shows that they are affiliated with the Downtowners,” Green said noting their respective roles as the Fancy Brigade Club’s financial secretary and steward.

The Downtowners has vowed to donate the rental money from these gatherings to charity, however, the Philadelphia Mummers Association denies that it was a “Mummers prostitution ring”

“All in the Mummers community are shocked by the alleged behavior of the individuals who rented out the Downtowners’ Hall,” George J. Badey III, the associations’ publicity director, said in a statement adding that many clubs rent out their facility and “this appeared to be just another routine rental.”

“If it is determined that any members of the Downtowners were involved, it was definitely without the knowledge or approval of the club itself, and any such individuals will also be subject to the discipline from the club as well.”

In addition the three men, police arrested 10 prostitutes and recovered $4,000, a small amount of drugs and a 9mm glock. Crovetti was charged with promoting prostitution while he, along with Murray and Sanborn, also was charged with criminal conspiracy and violation of liquor laws.

The 10 woman charged with prostitution and solicitation include Alexis Simon, 24, of the 700 block of Carpenter Street; Chiante Galezniak, 35, of Olney; Michelle Lauber, 32, of Fishtown; Adriana Areana, 51, Sherry Davidson, 40, and Regina Mahoney, 26, of Northeast Philly; Virginia Ruiz, 46, of Bear, Del.; Jennifer Quenderfield, 36, of Conshohocken; Barbara Gogas, 44, of Cheltenham; and Judith Jacobs, 36, of Sicklerville, N.J. Lauber was also charged with conspiracy and possession of narcotics.

Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.

Also in this week’s Police Report:
Reeves to be sentenced
Unidentified target
Trio pled to manslaughter
Intruders not locked out
Town Watch meet
AC man gunned down
Heated debate
Afternoon subway heist
Another Grays Ferry killing
Calling all block captains
Early coffee run
Burglary advisory

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