3 Kennewick massage parlors raided, closed after reports of injured clients
Three Kennewick massage parlors were raided and forced to close after complaints that clients were being injured and they were allowing unlicensed massage therapy.
The closures and one arrest followed a three-month investigation by Kennewick police, the state health department and Department of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security helped with translation and to investigate potential human trafficking, said Kennewick police Sgt. Ken Lattin.
No employees claimed they were being forced to work against their will, he said.
The businesses forced to close July 19 were the 99 Spa at 7903 W. Grandridge Blvd., Dragonfly Massage at 8903 W. Gage Blvd. and Holiday Massage & Spa at 1915 N. Steptoe St.
Kennewick police received several complaints that employees at the businesses were not “following proper legal procedures” and in some cases were causing more injuries to clients because they were not properly trained and certified through the state.
One employee at 99 Spa on Grandridge Boulevard was arrested on investigation of a felony for having no license after being previously cited for the same violation, said Lattin.
Jingi Liang, 47, of Colfax, was booked into the Benton County jail.
Lattin said other potential charges on several other employees and the business owners were sent to the Benton County prosecutor for review.
A condition of holding a Kennewick business license is that a business comply with all laws and regulations and not allow activity that negatively affects public health, said Lattin.
Massage practitioners are required to be licensed through the Washington State Department of Health.
Lattin said it’s important customers check the licensing of the businesses for their safety. Both city and state licenses are required to be posted in public view.
Anyone with information on the businesses can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 586-TIPS (8477), 800-222-8477 or go to www.tricitiescrimestoppers.org.
This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 4:19 PM with the headline "3 Kennewick massage parlors raided, closed after reports of injured clients."