D.C. Councilwoman Muriel Bowser, D-Ward 4, called for a comprehensive investigation into the commercial-area brothels unearthed by an Examiner investigation, and also the many she believes are run in residential areas.
Bowser, who has oversight of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, said Tuesday that she would meet with DCRA investigators to push them to be more aggressive in their pursuit of brothels that hide behind the facade of massage parlors.
“We have to address this comprehensively,” Bowser said. “DCRA has to play a role, the police, and the Office of the Attorney General has to be active, too.”
Her comments were made after an Examiner investigation revealed that three massage parlors, identified by District officials as brothels, remain open despite city lawsuits, actions by regulators and police raids.
“My suspicion is this is more widespread,” Bowser said, adding that she would meet with Attorney General Peter Nickles in the next few days to discuss the issue of brothels that set up shop in residential areas. “[The brothels] are a detriment to the quality of life in residential neighborhoods and commercial areas,” Bowser said.
Two establishments, Supra Inc. and GHS Health Spa, were identified as brothels by Nickles in lawsuits. Both of those remain open despite repeated attempts by Nickles and police to shut them down.
DCRA officials tried to close Jasmine Therapy last month, but dropped the lawsuit after an Office of Administrative Hearings judge said District lawyers failed to follow procedure. A DCRA spokesman said he could not comment, citing an ongoing investigation into the M Street parlor.
Councilman Jack Evans, who represents the Dupont Circle area, home to the brothels found by The Examiner, said he supported “whatever the attorney general is going to do.”
Nickles said he was starting “a far-reaching investigation into this whole area.”
Bowser said Nickles needed to continue to focus on property owners, as he has been in his case against Supra. Nickles has sued the owner of 1333 Connecticut Ave. NW for knowingly allowing a brothel to exist on his property.
“Property owners have a responsibility,” Bowser said. “That speaks to a lot of illicit activity, although prostitution is one of the most troubling.”
