enot06

Posted Mar. 31, 2014 
In 2014, Framingham Police said they caught Framingham fire inspector Todd Young soliciting a sexual favor from an Asian massage parlor on Union Avenue. Authorities said he went into the business in uniform and asked for free “body works” in exchange for not fining the business for a fire code violation.
Police, who were doing a stakeout, said they watched Young enter and leave 30 minutes later, and he admitted to receiving prostitution services.

Posted Jul. 22, 2015

FRAMINGHAM – Disturbed to know prostitution and human trafficking is going on in local "bodywork" shops, the Board of Health on Wednesday planned to set regulations to help police with a crackdown.

Framingham Detective Sgt. Tim O’Toole, who oversees the street crimes unit, told the board police know of about 10 bodywork establishments and spas in town.
“Going on inside the walls is prostitution and human trafficking in many of these, if not all of them,” O’Toole said. Asian females, mainly coming from New York, are being “moved in and out” of these businesses, treated like prisoners, he said.

Board member David Moore said he was startled at a past meeting to hear about the problem.
“I’m shocked as well,” said new member Laura Housman, who joined the board for her first meeting Wednesday.

Since so-called "bodywork" shops, unlike massage parlors, are unregulated, O’Toole said police could use the regulations as an enforcement tool.

“It’s difficult for us to infiltrate these establishments,” he said.

Board of Health staff has already drawn up draft regulations based on businesses in Arlington, and Chairman Mike Hugo said the board would hold a public hearing and vote in August.

By regulating "bodywork" businesses, the town would require practitioners to obtain permits once a year. Under the draft regulations, workers must fill out an application, submit a photo and pass criminal and sex offender background checks.

“I think this criteria should apply to both owners and practitioners,” Moore said.

The regulations would prohibit workers from dressing provocatively or the business from having anything exotic or provocative in its advertising, and ban blackout curtains in the waiting room.

The businesses could be open only between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., and must keep records of clients and show proof of liability insurance.

s
Posted Dec. 3, 2015

FRAMINGHAM – Armed with new regulations, the town has shut down 10 so-called “bodywork” businesses and permitted one to legally remain open.

Chief of Community Health Marissa Garofano said detectives with the Police Department’s street crimes unit assisted inspectors in closing down Naomi Spa, 158 Union Ave. — which failed a pre-opening inspection — and several other establishments, including some that neglected to apply for a permit and ignored cease-and-desist orders.

Naomi Spa was the only “bodywork” business that submitted all the documents required under new regulations the board enacted to crack down on prostitution and sex trafficking.

Inspectors went into the establishment and made several observations, including dim lighting and staff dressed inappropriately, which violates the regulations, Garofano said.

“The police helped us shut them down,” she told the Board of Health Thursday. “They are currently closed.”