St. Charles massage spa licenses revoked after March police sting - Chicago Tribune

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St. Charles' Liquor Control Commission has approved punishments for two of three massage spas following a March 15 police sting.

Mayor Raymond Rogina, as acting liquor control commissioner, approved fines and penalties for the businesses Thursday, according to information provided by city spokeswoman Lisa Garhan.

Best Massage, in the 2700 block of East Main Street, had its business license revoked and must pay a fine of $500 plus court costs of $500.

Lotus Spa, in the 1700 block of Lincoln Highway, also had its license revoked. Lotus already closed March 29 and does not have to pay any additional fines.


Main Spa, in the 500 block of East Main Street, was previously granted a continuation of its hearing before the Liquor Control Commission to April 18.

Fenglan Smythe, of Crystal Springs, the 51-year-old owner of Lotus Spa, was charged with violating the massage licensing act by giving a massage while she was unlicensed. Smythe pleaded guilty to the charge and waived a hearing in a form letter to the city's Liquor Control Commission dated March 29, according to documents provided by the city.

Lotus Spa is the only business of the three targeted in last month's police sting that is not connected with current prostitution charges. Two Chicago women, one from each of the other massage spas, were charged with prostitution after they offered to perform a sex act for an undercover agent in exchange for money, police said.


Xinnian Hu, 48, was charged with prostitution and practicing massage without a license at Best Massage. Ok Kim, 62, was charged with prostitution at Main Spa.

Separately, the city's Liquor Control Commission cited each business for "prohibited acts and conditions."

Commissioners talked about the citations and appropriate penalties during closed session after an April 4 special meeting. City ordinance allows the mayor, as liquor control commissioner, 10 days to make a final decision about fines and penalties on behalf of the commission.

The commission has the power to revoke and suspend licenses and impose fines on businesses it has licensed that are found guilty of violating the terms of their licenses. Charges brought by St. Charles police are separately tried in Kane County Court. Smythe, Kim and Hu each have dates to appear in Kane County Court on April 21.

"The penalties assessed in this matter reflect the importance of keeping a viable industry free from the few associated with unlawful practices," Rogina said in a news release.


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