A vacationing South Jersey woman claims in a civil lawsuit that as many as 10 prostitutes jumped on her in the lobby of South Beach's W Hotel.
The Miami Herald reports the incident happened Jan. 19 in one of the most exclusive hotels on South Beach. The lawsuit was filed last week by 34-year-old Anna Burgese, wife of a wealthy Philadelphia homebuilder.
According to Miami Beach police, the prostitutes mistakenly believe Burgese was encroaching on their turf.
Philadelphia lawyer Lance Rogers says Burgese and her husband, 50-year-old Joseph, are frequent visitors to the hotel.
The lawsuit claims the attack was unprovoked. Rogers says Joseph Burgese was a few steps ahead of his wife and fought the women off with his crutches.
The hotel offered no comment on the lawsuit.
Miami Beach police spokesman Bobby Hernandez told the Herald that prostitution is so rampant in Miami that there is even a Yelp category rating hookers. “It’s just the nature of the beast. You’re going to have prostitution anywhere that you have money,” he said.
