Owner of westside massage parlor closes business, agrees to settlement with County of El Paso
Update (February 3, 2025): The County Attorney's Office just announced a settlement. The two sides reached the agreement before a court hearing this morning.
A spokesperson for the County Attorney's Office says that owner Hui Xiong agreed to permanently close the business and avoid opening another similar business in the county.
"They are also prohibited from employing or working with unlicensed massage therapists," the spokesperson added. "The defendants must pay a $3,000 fine within 180 days, along with court costs. Investigator and attorney fees will be waived unless they violate the order."
The spokesperson added that breaching the terms would lead to a possible $10,000 fine or jail time.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The County Attorney's office filed a lawsuit against Eastwest Healthy Center Vitamin Massage after an investigation revealed illegal activity.
The massage parlor is located at 7250 N. Mesa St. near a math tutorial business.
Residents near the massage parlor expressed concerns about illegal activities in their neighborhoods and an investigation was conducted by members of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and El Paso Police Vice Unit.
The investigation revealed the massage parlor employed unlicensed massage therapists, employees were allowed to live in the business, they failed to maintain required client records, and offered "prostitution and sexual contact", according to a release from the county attorney's office.
District Court Judge, Patrick M. Garcia, signed a court order temporarily closing down the massage parlor.
The business will remain closed until a court hearing on February 6 that will determine if the temporary restraining order will become a temporary injunction during the legal proceedings.
