TROY — The attorney for an accused prostitute linked to the husband of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow says he expects the woman’s case to go to trial — and for Thomas Athans [pictured] to testify.

Defense attorney Frank A. Cusumano Jr. said Tuesday he continues to push for a dismissal in the case against his client, Alycia L. Martin, but he expects the matter will go to trial. And that means the prosecution’s only witness, Athans, the husband of Stabenow, D-Lansing, will be compelled to testify.

Cusumano, who has filed numerous legal motions in the case, said he continues to question the legal authority Troy police had to arrest Martin and search the room she occupied at the Residence Inn in Troy where she was arrested Feb. 26 as part of a prostitution sting.

Police say Athans, co-founder and former CEO of the liberal-progressive Democracy Radio, was observed entering and leaving a room there and drove away in his Cadillac DeVille. Officers followed the vehicle and pulled Athans over.

Athans admitted paying a woman $150 to perform oral sex on him in the room, police said. He was not arrested but was told by officers he could be called as a witness in the case.

Cusumano, who said Martin disputes the charges against her, continues to question what he calls “the preferential treatment” police gave Athans over Martin, including why Athans was released when he had a warrant out for his arrest for driving with a suspended license.

Athans was allowed to plead guilty to a civil infraction. The ticket was reduced to “no operator’s license in possession,” and Athans paid a $115 fine. Martin has been offered no such deal, Cusumano said.

Troy police and its attorney’s office have maintained the arrest and search were legal.