County Files Lawsuits to Stop Prostitution; Targets Illegal Massage Parlors

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Contact: Donna Bigler, 240-777-6537
For Immediate Release: January 11, 2001

County Files Lawsuits to
Stop Prostitution; Targets Illegal Massage Parlors

In an effort to stop prostitution at the growing number of illegal massage establishments in Montgomery County, County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today that the County has filed two lawsuits in an effort to attack the problem at its root. The legal action is aimed at the property and business owners who reap the financial benefits of maintaining their businesses as houses of prostitution.

Defendants named in the two injunctions include the property and business owners of Spa Capri on Amherst Avenue in Wheaton and A-One-T on West University Boulevard in Kensington. Although staff was arrested and convicted of prostitution, illegal activities continued at both properties.

"By targeting the owners rather than the employees, we stand a better chance of putting a permanent stop to prostitution in Montgomery County," said Duncan. "Considering the millions of dollars we are spending to revitalize our urban areas, this is not the kind of business we want to attract."

The lawsuits seek court action in establishing appropriate controls to enable ongoing monitoring and enforcement to prevent illegal massage activities. Other remedies being sought by the County include requirements that the defendants:

· Submit to inspection of their premises by police officers and the county's code enforcement inspectors at random times;

· Inspect and supervise the activities occurring on their premises to insure that the activities are legal in nature; and

· Post a $100,000 bond that will be forfeited if future violations are discovered.

"If the court is in agreement with our requests, we will have taken a first step towards resolving a serious community problem, without imposing unnecessary burdens on our legitimate massage practitioners and their clients," said Duncan. He added that he is considering legislation to close some of the legal loopholes that have allowed illegal massage parlors to exist in Montgomery County, without subjecting legitimate establishments to any additional burdens.

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