5 Investigates: Massage parlor owners face prostitution charges

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Two Chinatown massage parlor owners were in court today facing criminal charges months after 5 Investigates went undercover in their establishments and was propositioned for sex.
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Sophia Wang, owner of Lotus Massage, and Ming Wang, owner of Diva Beauty Spa, both entered pleas of not guilty at their arraignment in Boston Municipal Court today.
Prosecutors say an undercover officer was propositioned by women in both businesses.
"An undercover officer in one case telephoned the number that was advertised for the established premises. He went to that premises. He was offered sex for a fee," Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Sophie Wang said in court.
Defense lawyer Bob Stolzberg filed motions to dismiss both cases, which were denied.
"My belief is that there is no evidence that these women did anything wrong, that they knew that anyone else did anything wrong, and that this case shouldn't be in court," Stolzberg said outside court.
Sophia and Ming Wang are both due back in court in April.
The court cases follow undercover visits made last year by a 5 Investigates producer to both businesses. When the massages were over he was offered sex for a fee, offers he declined.
Documents obtained by 5 Investigates show there has been a history of problems at Diva Beauty Spa over the past few years. A complaint was filed in April with the state about alleged illegal sex at Diva Beauty Spa.*
Sophia Wang was charged in 2008 with sexual conduct for a fee and in 2010 with maintaining a house of prostitution. Both charges were dropped.

Last year, police obtained a search warrant after a massage therapist at Lotus told an undercover officer she would perform a sex act for $40.
Because it's difficult to prosecute these cases, city, state and federal investigators use a multi-pronged approach, which includes looking at labor laws, immigration laws and inspecting the businesses.
The state fined Lotus Massage last year for licensing and labor law issues. Diva Beauty Spa was issued a stop-work order late last year, but the order was lifted after a fine was paid.
Investigators tell 5 Investigates there is a thriving underground sex trade in Chinatown involving more than just women working as prostitutes in massage parlors. They believe it's part of the underground sex trade involving human trafficking. There are no charges or allegations of trafficking against either women.
"Many of the women I've talked to who have come to this country have left very abusive situations back in China. They thought they were going to work in a restaurant or be domestic help and the next thing they know they're involved in the sex trade," said the detective sergeant who heads up the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit.*