Massage parlor employees accused of prostitution

Owners of two massage parlors face the loss of their licenses after employees were arrested on suspicion of prostitution in recent weeks.

The South Pasadena City Council, which in recent years has wrestled with concerns about a proliferation of massage parlors, has scheduled hearings regarding the businesses for March 7.

South Pasadena police arrested Ling Ling Kuo, 44, of Alhambra, the owner of Massage Villa, Feb. 10 on suspicion of operating a disorderly house.

Two of his employees were also arrested: Xiaosu Xu, 25, of Diamond Bar, on suspicion of prostitution, and Li Jie Cui, for allegedly interfering with an investigation.

Mengdong Wang, 36, of Monterey Park, the owner of King Spa Massage, was arrested Jan. 27 on suspicion of operating a disorderly house. A King Spa worker named Ping Li, 49, of West Covina, was arrested on suspicion of prostitution.

The question the council is taking up is separate from any charges the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office may bring against the women and their employers, city authorities said. But the fact that prosecutors have not filed cases or earned convictions gave some members of the council pause.

Councilwoman Marina Khubesrian and Councilman Richard Schneider expressed concern about moving to revoke the business licenses before a criminal investigation is completed.

However, Councilman Philip Putnam said he believes the city should move forward.

“It doesn’t have to be a criminal violation,” Putnam said. “I don’t think we should let conduct that would be detrimental to South Pasadena continue.”

Massage Villa and King Spa continue to operate while the matter is pending.

Jeffrey Bell, a lawyer representing King Spa, said there was some uncertainty about what occurred. He emphasized that prosecutors have not filed any charges.

Wang would like to “see if there’s something the establishment can do to resolve the problem prior to having the revocation of its license,” Bell said. “Give us an opportunity.”

South Pasadena has tried recently to curb the number of massage establishments in town. In 2011 the City Council voted to require owners of new massage parlors to apply for conditional-use permits.

The permits, which also apply to nail, hair and tanning salons, would limit where the businesses could operate.

South Pasadena has 15 massage businesses, according to a staff report. Since requiring new businesses to apply for conditional-use permits, 53 firms have opened in the city but only one is a massage parlor.

There are no pending applications from massage parlors, according to the report.

Police Chief Joseph Payne said authorities were tipped off about the alleged prostitution by two websites where customers offered reviews of services rendered. The city then conducted an undercover compliance check, which Payne said is routine.

“We also routinely monitor websites that in my opinion are designed to promote the business,” Payne said. “These websites are graphic and describe unlawful conduct.”

One such site posted a review from a King Spa customer who claimed to have twice received sexual favors from a masseuse there, though the customer was hoping for even more.

“Sadly, she does not seem to offer anything beyond [that service],” the reviewer said.