Chesco official's wife arrested in prostitution sting

Rachael Savage bills herself as a world-traveled, well-endowed "bundle of energy" with a postgraduate education and an interest in providing discreet, enchanting companionship at $400 for two hours.

Philadelphia vice detectives say the self-proclaimed beauty with an interest in great books and cigars was actually Theresa Mattison Atkins of Paoli, married to a well-respected Chester County official.

On March 19, she was one of five women taken into custody during a sex sting at a Center City hotel.

Police said her response to the arrest did not set her apart.

"She was upset," said Philadelphia Police Sgt. Joe Lanciano. "Her reaction was no different from anybody else we pick up under those circumstances."

But her background differentiated her. Atkins is a 49-year-old mother of three, married to Edward J. Atkins, 59, who has led Chester County's Department of Emergency Services since October 1997.

Her age was unusual, Lanciano said, but not unprecedented. Typically, he said, an arrestee on misdemeanor prostitution charges - generally a probation offense - is in her 20s.

Lanciano said Theresa Atkins appeared to work independently, and authorities said they had no information that anyone else was involved in her alleged criminal activity.

She was rounded up in a sting operation targeting alleged prostitutes after the Feb. 29 robbery of a man by a prostitute in a Center City hotel. Jennifer Jarvis of Rockledge was charged in the robbery.

Police say roundups occur several times a year and are usually aimed at preventing health and ancillary problems associated with prostitution. Rounding them up is as simple as typing Philadelphia and high-priced escorts into a computer search and using undercover officers to set up "dates," he said.

Evelyn Walker, Chester County's chief management officer, said reports that Edward Atkins had taken a leave of absence were inaccurate. She said his employment status was unchanged.

She said Atkins had successfully guided the county into "a new era" of 911 and emergency services.

Eamon Brazunas, a lieutenant with the Berwyn Fire Company and disaster planner with the American Red Cross, said: "I think everyone is pretty surprised."

He said Edward Atkins had done a great job in the county and in the region as a member of the Southeast Pennsylvania Counterterrorism Task Force. "There are a lot of good things going on right now - let's keep moving along."

Former County Commissioner Colin A. Hanna said Edward Atkins had responded to a newspaper ad during the county's national search for an emergency services coordinator. Hanna said that Atkins had been interested in returning to the Philadelphia area because he had relatives in New Jersey and that he proved to be an "exemplary department head."

Efforts to reach Edward Atkins and Theresa Atkins were unsuccessful.

On more than a half-dozen Web sites advertising escorts, Rachael Savage provides a detailed profile, including measurements, interests, and opportunities for "personal service" that leave little to the imagination and and are provided for males and couples. She says she has lived in North America, Europe and Asia, describing herself as a successful artist, author, musician and business consultant.

"I combine beauty with elegance, grace, charm and a post-graduate education," she writes. "I usually travel in the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Atlantic City areas although more extensive travel is possible with advance notice."

According to court records, Theresa Atkins divorced her first husband, an Air Force retiree, in February 1996 in Washington state and moved to Texas. She and Edward Atkins, a divorced retired Air Force colonel, married in Texas in March 1997. Their 11th anniversary was Tuesday.

They moved to Pennsylvania when Edward Atkins accepted the Chester County job and bought their current residence in Paoli in 2000, court records said.

Theresa Atkins, who initially had custody only of her daughter, gained custody of her two sons in Pennsylvania, court records said. Her children range in age from 19 to 22.

A December 2004 posting on a Web site featuring reviews of escorts recommends Rachael Savage, commenting: "She enjoys the hobby!"