Prosecutors claim Warrendale massage parlor employed illegal aliens




By Matthew Santoni

Saturday, January 9, 2010



Federal prosecutors say a Warrendale massage parlor was harboring and employing illegal aliens from China, and want the business to forfeit nearly $6,000 seized in a raid.

The U.S. Attorney's Office filed a motion this week seeking to make Li Hong's China Massage Integrated Bodywork forfeit $5,985 that was seized in an August immigration raid of the business at the corner of Warrendale Bayne Road and Northgate Drive.

According to the filing, the business was under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which said the business, its owner and others generated "thousands of dollars of illegal proceeds" by knowingly hiring illegal aliens, including illegal aliens from China. They were living on the premises, the court papers said.

After the August raid, neighbors said they were suspicious because they often saw expensive cars in the parking lot and women hanging laundry to dry outside.

Robert L. Etter, who owns the two-story building housing the massage parlor, said he never had trouble with his tenants. He said the expensive cars were typical of clients who had the kind of disposable income for massages

"I think the whole thing stinks; the whole thing's ridiculous," Etter said. "They had guys with guns and SWAT gear. ... Total overkill."

Li Hong referred questions to her attorney, Clifford Early, who could not be reached for comment Friday. Margaret Philbin, spokeswoman for acting U.S. District Attorney Robert Cessar, said the business could challenge the forfeiture in court.


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