Police: Ohio State adviser ran prostitute raffle

Tools

By Beth Boehne

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A college adviser and a real estate agent joined together to hold a raffle that offered an evening with a prostitute who is also a child sex-abuse caseworker, police said.

The operation was organized through the Web site Craigslist.com, where several hundred customers posted comments about prostitutes they had hired.

Christopher S. Johnson, 33, an academic adviser at Ohio State University's School of Nursing, organized the chat board and the raffle, police said.

Rusty Blades, a 42-year-old real estate agent, held an invitation-only party in October for the men and a group of prostitutes at one of his houses, police said. The men bought $10 raffle tickets for a chance to spend time with one of the prostitutes.

Both Johnson and Blades were charged with promoting prostitution. A judge set bail Saturday at $50,000 for Blades and $25,000 for Johnson.

A message seeking comment was left Monday with Blades' attorney Richard Wetzel. A woman who answered the phone at Johnson's home Monday said he was not available.

The prostitute was 31-year-old Vanise Dunn, an employee at Franklin County Children Services since 2000, said Columbus Police Vice Detective Jeffrey Ackley.

Her attorney, Scott Kossoudji, said he could not comment because he did not know enough about the case yet.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 67.9
°
More Weather
More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Wheel of Fortune
7.30
Jeopardy!
8.00
How I Met Your Mother
8.30
The Rules of Engagement
9.00
Two and a Half Men
9.30
Big Bang Theory
10.00
CSI: Miami
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
Late Show with David Letterman

Question of The Day

What does the 4th of July mean to you?

E-mail your comments

Today's Mortgage Rates