Teslovich wants judge to restore her rights
Susanne B. Teslovich, the former Fayette County commissioner convicted of running a prostitution business, wants a judge to restore her civil rights. That restoration of her civil rights would allow Teslovich, 61, of Menallen Township to do several things such as vote, carry a firearm, hold public office and serve on a jury. She requested the restoration in a petition filed earlier this month in Fayette County Court.
Teslovich, of Rutter Lane in Smock, was convicted of running a prostitution ring under the guise of her escort business, First Class Entertainment Service. The business used contract employees and offered nude or partially nude massages, stripping and escort services.
Teslovich has always maintained she was not aware of any sexual acts that took place in exchange for money. Some employees backed up that contention at her 2001 trial by testifying they were never told sex was part of their job. Others testified that sex was an understood part of what they were to do.
State police searched Teslovich’s home in March 2000, taking many things, including logs of people who called the service for any reason.
Her business came under scrutiny when undercover state police troopers called for an escort and talked to Teslovich about what sexual activities the women would provide.
Teslovich contended the conversations were a tease, and she never specifically said anything about sex to police.
Those conversations led to a search warrant executed on her home and her arrest later that month.
She was ultimately convicted of five counts of prostitution and related offenses and, after her appeals were denied, served her six-month to three-year jail term.
Judge John F. Wagner Jr., who presided over Teslovich’s trial, scheduled an August hearing on the petition.