Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Four Brooklyn Women Busted In Stamford Prostitution Ring
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 26, 2011
Modified Mar 26, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 26, 2011
Modified Mar 26, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Stamford police busted an alleged prostitution ring that was being run out of a massage parlor, arresting four Brooklyn women. And they caught them in the act: Lt. Tim Shaw says police armed with a search warrant found two women in rooms with men, one of them in the middle of performing a sexual act. “[We] located condoms throughout the building. They were hidden in false-bottom hairspray cans,” said Shaw. Which is obviously hardcore proof of prostitution!
Police had been monitoring the La Rue Estetique Spa for over a month since they several complaints about the massage parlor. The parlor advertised itself on Craigslist as an upscale Russian spa, calling itself "Magic European Touch." According to court records, police believed the massage parlor was a front for prostitution where illegal immigrants might be working as sex slaves. When they raided the parlor on Thursday, officers saw a woman on top of a man in the middle of a sexual act. In the second room, officers saw a woman clad only in a bra next to nude man laying on a massage table.
Three of the women from Brooklyn, Rano Rakimova, 24; Maryna Rogozhyna, 29; and Alla Gindin, 39; were all charged with prostitution and operating a massage parlor without a license. The fourth woman, Natalia Cataraso, 41, was identified as the madam of the ring. Records show that Cataraso had been arrested for prostitution in 2004 under the name Natalia Strochkovoskaya, but she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct. She faces charges of second-degree promoting prostitution, a felony, and operating a massage parlor without a license. The two men who were in the parlor at the time of the raid were also arrested, and issued summonses for patronizing a prostitute.
Tagged
brooklyn
connecticut
massage parlor
prostitution
prostitution ring
stamford
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .