NEWPORT BEACH : City Votes to Close 2 Massage Parlors

The City Council voted Monday night to shut down two massage parlors near the airport, saying they have been fronts for prostitution for years.

The businesses seeking permits to operate will have to close when the action of the council becomes final in three weeks. The attorney who represents both parlors promises to file a lawsuit contending that the city has violated constitutional rights of his clients by denying them a permit. Pending an appeal, the businesses will probably be allowed to remain open.

George Grove, attorney for the Narita Acupressure at 4222 Campus Drive and International Spa at 4301 Birch St., told council members that there is no reason to deny a permit because there have been no prostitution arrests or convictions under the current operators.

Grove also contended that the city is discriminating against owners of massage parlors who are of Asian descent. The city denied that charge.

The permits are being sought by Candice H. Nguyen for International Spa and Myong Cha Drake for the Narita.

Monday’s council vote was 6 to 1.

Councilwoman Janice A. Debay cast the dissenting vote. She said the council should not deny a permit to an operator with a clean record.

But Glen Everroad, city revenue manager, said that ownership of massage parlors has been a revolving door.

“As soon as they get in trouble with the law, the operator changes,” Everroad said. Everroad said the city, which has 23 independent massage parlors, has looked for a way to shut down parlors where employees have been convicted of prostitution, regardless of the record of the current owner.

In 1991, the Narita and International spas were raided by police. Four employees were arrested on prostitution charges at the Narita, one at the International.

Last year, the city adopted an ordinance decreeing that all parlors must apply for a use permit, which can be revoked if convictions have occurred for prostitution at the location.

Of the 23 independent massage parlors that have applied for permits, only the Narita and the International spas have been rejected. Nineteen applications have been approved and two are pending.