Troy Massage Parlor to Remain Closed After Prostitution Charges
Council revokes its license at Monday meeting, but Recovery Spa owner requests renewal. The city has 60 days to approve or reject request.
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The Troy City Council on Monday approved a resolution to revoke a 2011 massage parlor license at Recovery Spa to affirm the city’s decision to close the business last December after an investigation by Troy Police uncovered multiple ordinance violations.
The business owner, Ok Suk An, of Sterling Heights, was charged with providing a location for illegal purposes, and two employees have been charged with prostitution. Criminal proceedings are pending.
At the public hearing, Troy Police Capt. Keith Frye discussed several ordinance violations at Recovery Spa, located at 1975 E. Maple Rd., including failure to prominently post a license and price rates and furnishing and providing a place for unlawful acts.
"On Oct. 24 we received a tip that Recovery Spa was not the regular spa you would go to," Frye said. "Several individuals said they received massages involving sexual acts."
On Dec. 14 two employees at Recovery Spa were arrested and the business closed Dec. 19 after the city suspended its license, City Attorney Lori Grigg Bluhm said.
The council's vote to revoke the license is more of a symbolic gesture that validates the city's decision to close the business last year, Bluhm said. The license officially expired on Dec. 31, 2011.
"We received complaints and they were verified... illegal activity was taking place," Bluhm said.
Ok Suk An's attorney, J. Kim Welch, said at Monday's council meeting that the business was unfairly targeted. Welch said the prostitution charges were false and that Troy is "biased against Korean business owners."
Welch defended his client, saying Ok Suk An does not have a criminal record and has lost thousands of dollars since the business closed. He also cited the 14th Amendment and said the city acted without due process.
"We dispute any allegations that this was racially motivated," Bluhm said in response to Welch's presentation.
Recovery Spa has submitted an application for a license renewal and the city has 60 days to approve it, pending a background investigation and the adjudication process.
