Wellesley Massage Parlor Prostitution Suspects Deny Police Claims
CHELSEA (CBS) - Three people were arraigned on Friday after State Police and immigration officers raided massage parlors in Wellesley and Revere a day before.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
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Wenjie Dong, 49, of Malden, Zhen Lai, 37, of Quincy, and Joseph Girouard, 55, of Revere, are accused of running a prostitution ring out of two businesses in Wellesley and Revere.
They're charged with prostitution and human trafficking. All three pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The alleged brothels were set up at Sun Studio, on the edge of a residential neighborhood in Wellesley, and at Bodyworks in Revere.
Officials say the massage parlors were not licensed by the state.
After a six-month investigation, police say they were able to confirm that Lai and Girouard would allow their clients to engage in sexual activity with women who worked there in exchange for cash that was characterized as tips.
Houses in the area of Sun Studio sell for upwards of $1 million. Tracy Corby, who works nearby, says she was shocked.
"I saw it this morning and I actually just couldn't believe that it was right around the corner. Wellesley is a pretty legitimate town," she said. "A lot of us aren't happy that this is, right here, happening."
Others were not as concerned.
"It's happening everywhere; doesn't matter (that it's) Wellesley," one man said as he pumped gas across the street from the alleged brothel. "I wouldn't be shocked."
