Moraga police arrested 52-year-old Situ Li, of San Leandro, on Aug. 28 for misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution after an investigation into possible illicit activities occurring at Wonderful Spa, a massage parlor located at 450 Center St. in the Rheem Shopping Center.
Similar activities in Lafayette a couple of years ago sparked an ordinance that requires all employees of massage establishments in that city to be licensed by the state.
"An officer from the County Sheriff went to investigate undercover after a resident expressed concerns to us," said Sergeant Brian South, who is in charge of the investigation for the Moraga Police Department. According to South, Li was an employee of Wonderful Spa, which is located between the post office and Tuesday Morning. She was booked at the Moraga Police Department and released on a signed Promise to Appear.
South said that the investigation is ongoing and includes possible use permit violations by the business owners.
Moraga does not have a specific regulation for massage parlors. Typically, cities that encounter this kind of problem craft and enforce rules that include a requirement for employees to be licensed; they also often add restrictions on the operating hours of such businesses. Town Manager Jill Keimach indicated that it is in the town's interest to address this issue, but that it's too early in the investigation to say in what direction the Town Council will decide to go.
Similar activities in Lafayette a couple of years ago sparked an ordinance that requires all employees of massage establishments in that city to be licensed by the state.
"An officer from the County Sheriff went to investigate undercover after a resident expressed concerns to us," said Sergeant Brian South, who is in charge of the investigation for the Moraga Police Department. According to South, Li was an employee of Wonderful Spa, which is located between the post office and Tuesday Morning. She was booked at the Moraga Police Department and released on a signed Promise to Appear.
South said that the investigation is ongoing and includes possible use permit violations by the business owners.
Moraga does not have a specific regulation for massage parlors. Typically, cities that encounter this kind of problem craft and enforce rules that include a requirement for employees to be licensed; they also often add restrictions on the operating hours of such businesses. Town Manager Jill Keimach indicated that it is in the town's interest to address this issue, but that it's too early in the investigation to say in what direction the Town Council will decide to go.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA