A prominent local defense lawyer has been charged by Gates Police with one count 0f patronizing a prostitute in the 3rd degree.
Police say the charge against 76 year old John Parrinello of Rochester is in connection with an incident that allegedly happened last Sunday at the Gates Motel. They say that Parrinello turned himself in at Noon on Thursday.
He was issued an appearance ticket and will be back in town court on August 25th. Parrinello referred a call from WXXI News to his lawyer, David Rothenberg, who also declined comment.
Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode says his department will continue to aggressively enforce prostitution laws. He says it's not a victimless crime and often supports a drug habit which then leads to other crimes.
VanBrederode says because of the internet, prostitution has exploded in popularity over the last decade.
