Massage parlors suing Pawtucket to block new controls drop restraining order ... - The...

[massage]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The owners of two Asian massage parlors suing the City of Pawtucket over a new "body works" ordinance dropped their bid for a restraining order Wednesday.


In exchange, the city has agreed not to enforce the new ordinance until both sides meet at a Superior Court hearing Feb. 3 on a request by the businesses for an injunction to stop the city from requiring them to comply with the ordinance.


The ordinance, passed unanimously by the City Council just before Christmas, regulates businesses that offer "body works," "body scrubs" and "body rubs." Other cities with similar laws have used them to shut down massage parlors that say they offer "body works," but are actually brothels.


The lawyer for Harmony Spa and Far East Acupressure is arguing that Pawtucket's ordinance is confusing, that the spas pose no risk to public health and that the city is conducting a "witch hunt."


While the City Council has raised questions about sex trafficking and prostitution, lawyer Gary E. Blais said his clients denied those allegations. Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's hearing before Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear, Blais declined to answer questions about the spas' advertisements and reviews on sex websites, including some posted recently.


Blais said he didn't know how many employees the spas had or how much money the businesses were making. "Anyone has the right to make a living," he said.


Grace Kwon, who said she has owned Harmony Spa for five years, has a state license for massage therapy, but Sg Young Soung, who said she has owned Far East for three years, does not.


Blais said Young Soung is now applying for her license. To which City Solicitor Frank Milos asked: "But why now?"


Milos said the new ordinance was not onerous. The license costs nothing, but it requires businesses to identify owners and employees, follow city codes, prohibit employees from living at the businesses, and bans sexual contact and revealing clothing.


"[The spas'] affidavits say if they have to comply with the ordinance, they'll go out of business. Why?" Milos said to reporters after the hearing.


Harmony and Far East are two of 16 businesses that were contacted by the city clerk about the new license requirement. Three businesses have already applied for the license, Milos said. (Three others are no longer in Pawtucket.)


A lawyer for another Asian massage parlor, Pleasant Massage Therapy, told the city that the spa will comply, Milos said.


Seven others have not responded.


[email protected]


(401) 277-7213


On Twitter: @AmandaMilkovits
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