New York D.A. Says
He'll Investigate Prostitution Arrests

New York district attorney Robert Morgenthau told gay activists Monday he would investigate the 2008 prostitution arrests of at least 30 gay and bisexual men targeted at Manhattan porn shops. He also said he may dismiss the cases against five of the men who are contesting the charges.

"The first thing Morgenthau said was, 'We are going to investigate all these cases,'" said Joey Nelson, coordinator for the Queer Justice League and a member of the Coalition to Stop the Arrests. "That was the first thing out of his mouth."

Last month Advocate.com reported that gay activists in New York were up in arms about the series of arrests throughout the city. They allege that police have been targeting gay men at sex shops and posing as prostitutes around Manhattan.

The Coalition to Stop False Arrests, an activist group born out of the surprising rise in arrests, formed last month to address the issue.