The San Diego City Attorney’s Office is seeking to shut down a massage business in University Heights that it alleges operated as a front for prostitution, it was announced Friday.
In a lawsuit filed against the owner and operator of Osaka Oriental Spa on Adams Avenue, the City Attorney’s Office alleges the business’ employees have been offering sexual services to customers for years. During undercover San Diego Police Department operations into the business, “Officers were solicited for sex in nearly every undercover visit,” the City Attorney’s Office claims.
The lawsuit alleges that the business “has developed a reputation in the community as a location where prostitution activity takes place,” as well as in multiple online advertisements and reviews of the spa that have referenced sex acts.
The business is located in an area close to homes, other businesses and a park.
“I mean this is a neighborhood that is a vibrant part of our city where a lot of people are engaging in their everyday activities and to have this kind of nuisance activity at this really dangerous property continuing to go, despite multiple attempts to try and get compliance. It was time do do something else,” said San Diego City Attorney Heather Ferbert.
Ferbert added that repeated interactions with police, plus building and land use enforcement did not result in the compliance her office was looking for.
Along with the prostitution allegations, the lawsuit states that city inspectors discovered building and zoning violations on the premises related to unpermitted additions and modifications to the property.
The lawsuit seeks to shutter the business and order its owner to pay civil penalties of $2,500 per day, per violation, in addition to paying investigative costs. The owner of the business received a permit in 2012, according to the complaint, which also states that as far back as 2015, San Diego police identified prostitution activity at Osaka Oriental Spa.
Neighbor Paul Coogan told NBC 7 he bikes along the Adams Avenue corridor almost every evening.
“I’m not surprised really. The hours always seemed a little late,” Coogan said.
Neighbor Michelle Langmead was disheartened to hear about the alleged illicit activity happening inside. She said it raises public safety concerns for the community.
“You don’t know who’s working there. Are they working voluntarily? Might that be an opportunity for human trafficking?” Langmead said.
“‘It kind of delegitimizes folks who are trying to have a legitimate message business,” she added.
But not everyone in the area feels the same.
“I’m kind of surprised to hear that’s going on, but it’s not causing any problems in the neighborhood,” said one neighbor who wished not to be be named.
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