A professor of Jewish studies at Northeastern University was among a group of men Boston police arrested in an online prostitution crackdown.
Harvey Shapiro, 63, of Needham pleaded not guilty yesterday in Boston Municipal Court to a charge of solicitation of sexual conduct for a fee. He was ordered to stay away from the Back Bay hotel that police used as the site of the sting, and ordered to stay off Backpage.com.
Prior to his case being called, Shapiro said he was “not great” and said it was no fun appearing in court, “especially when you’re innocent.”
Police said they put an ad on Backpage.com Thursday and about 10:30 a.m. Shapiro called saying he wanted a half-hour appointment for $125. Police said at 12:15 p.m. Shapiro knocked on the door. Cops let him in and made a call to the cellphone that arranged the date to confirm his identity before arresting him.
In all, 12 men were arrested, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office said. Five were arraigned yesterday while the others will be arraigned later.
According to his online Northeastern biography, Shapiro works in the school’s department of education. He also works with Boston Public Schools supervising student teachers, according to his bio. Boston Public Schools said they had no record of Shapiro ever working “as a district employee or contractor.”
“Northeastern University will evaluate the entire set of circumstances around the allegations involving Mr. Shapiro and decide on the appropriate personnel action in accordance with our policies,” the school said in a statement.
Shapiro was released on personal recognizance and is due back in court on March 21.
