SECAUCUS – Three massage parlors in Secaucus have been shut down for alleged fire and health code violations according to Fire Inspector Carl Leppin. A spa on Route 3 East and one at 1317 Paterson Plank Road were both shut down Monday, Dec. 31. A third spa located above a restaurant on Paterson Plank Road was shut down Friday, Dec. 28.
Employees allegedly lacked appropriate certification and massage licenses, and were allegedly sleeping at all three parlors. Alleged fire code violations included blocked exits, improper locks on doors, and possible change in use, which refers to the alleged overnight stays.
The Health Department fines could total up to $1,250 per establishment. The potential fire code fines range from $3,000 to a little over $15,000, according to Leppin.
One location also faces a building code fine for $4,000.
The closures took place through a coordinated effort between the Office of Inspections, the Board of Health, and the Police Department. According to Captain Det. John Buckley, the police were there to keep the peace, and no arrests were made.
Inspectors found a mattress at one spa, a bed at another, and employees allegedly slept on the floor at the location at a third.
“There was a bedroom-like setting,” said Leppin. “We have pictures of blankets, their nightstand…slippers outside the room [and] clothes.”
Leppin said that indications that people were allegedly sleeping at the locations also included a fully-stocked refrigerator, a kitchen, nightstands, and dressers full of clothing.
“Most of the women were not registered with the town to practice massage therapy,” said Leppin in regard to the Board of Health violations. All three massage parlors are listed online on a number of web sites as erotic Asian massage locations that offer services such as “table showers.”
In regard to any signs of alleged prostitution, Buckley said, “that is not what happened here.” He reiterated that “these people are alleged to be violators of Secaucus town ordinances.”