By Alejandro Serrano, deputy news editor
A Northeastern University professor was one of seven men arrested by the Human Trafficking Unit of the Boston Police Department last Thursday in a prostitution sting, according to a press release from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s (DA) Office.
Dr. Harvey Shapiro, associate professor of education in the College of Professional Studies, was arrested on charges of “seeking to engage in sex for a fee,” according to the DA’s office. Shapiro and four others were arraigned Friday at Boston Municipal Court.
“We ask that all interested parties respect the process and reserve judgment until the case is resolved,” Shapiro’s attorney, Michael Tumposky, said in an email to The News. “We will have no further comment until that time.”
Shapiro and the other defendants allegedly responded to an online advertisement the detectives posted Thursday, according to the DA’s office. After responding the men allegedly “negotiated sexual conduct in exchange for money.” The men were later arrested at the locations where they had agreed to meet the detectives.
Shapiro pleaded not guilty and was “released on his own recognizance,” according to a Feb. 5 Boston Globe report. By being released on his own recognizance, Shapiro agrees to show up to court at a later date.
The university is assessing the situation before taking any action regarding Shapiro’s employment.
“Northeastern University will evaluate the entire set of circumstances around the allegations involving Mr. Shapiro and decide on the appropriate personnel action in accordance with our policies,” the university said in a Feb. 5 statement.
Four other defendants were arraigned Friday and two others had their arraignments scheduled for a later date, according to DA’s office.
Shapiro has also served as a peer reviewer for several education publications, according to his Northeastern University bio. He is also a member of the Philosophy of Education Society, the American Educational Research Association and the Network of Research in Jewish Education.
Before Shapiro began teaching at Northeastern in 2008, he was an associate professor and dean of the Schoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education at Hebrew College for 15 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Several former students of Shapiro were contacted for comment, however none of the students felt comfortable commenting on his arrest.
