By: Richard L. Smith
A husband and wife from Bergen County admitted in federal court to operating a prostitution enterprise through multiple massage spas across New Jersey and New York, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Zhejun Piao, 38, and Miyeon Choi, also known as “Maya,” 38, both of Palisades Park, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Trenton federal court to conspiracy charges connected to promoting prostitution and operating the illegal business across state lines.
Federal prosecutors said the couple, along with other co-conspirators, owned or managed nine massage parlors in New Jersey and New York, including locations in Paterson, Passaic, Fairview, Edgewater, East Brunswick, Toms River and New Rochelle.
According to court documents, the spas allegedly operated as fronts for prostitution, where women provided sexual services to customers for payments ranging between $160 and $175.
Investigators said many of the women lived inside the businesses, which reportedly operated seven days a week from early morning until midnight.
Authorities said customer loyalty cards were also used at some locations, offering free visits after a certain number of appointments.
Prosecutors said Choi acted as a leader of the operation by recruiting workers, booking appointments, advertising online and overseeing the money generated by the spas.
She also admitted directing other members of the organization to deliver supplies and help manage daily operations.
Piao admitted to transporting supplies to the spas, including groceries, cleaning products, medications and condoms, while also collecting cash proceeds, receipts and business ledgers from the locations.
Federal authorities said investigators recovered approximately $1.2 million in cash from the couple’s home along with tens of thousands of condoms, designer handbags, luxury watches and jewelry.
As part of their plea agreements, the couple agreed to forfeit the seized money and luxury items.
Sentencing dates were not immediately announced.