FULTON COUNTY, Ga — Johns Creek is making good on its promise to crack down on massage spas that aren’t complying with a new city ordinance.
City inspectors have cited about half a dozen businesses for various violations after they didn’t fix problems pointed out by code enforcement officers.
“What we’ve really tried to do is bring the massage parlors into compliance with the ordinance the city council passed,” City Manager Warren Hutmacher told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik. “The premise to the ordinance is to hold the businesses accountable, to make sure they have legitimate businesses.”
Hutmacher said inspectors found various violations, including spas with tinted windows and blinds, spas that didn’t have adequate records of its employees and visitors, and some that failed to post warnings about human trafficking.
He said it’s now up to a judge to decide whether to fine the establishments up to $1,000 per violation.
Hutmacher said the next phase of the inspections will be to determine whether therapists are licensed to work in Georgia.
“If someone is operating a legitimate institution or establishment that has licensed massage therapists, we welcome you into the community,” he said. “If the business is a front for illegal activity, we’re going to get to the bottom of that. We’ll move you out of Johns Creek.”
Private investigator T.J. Ward told Petchenik he represents several of the spas that were cited by the city. Ward said he works with the spas to come into compliance with the newly passed ordinance.
“There were some violations in this store and they’ve corrected them,” he said. “They’re in a survival mode. They’re trying to survive and make a living just like everybody else.”
Cited Spas:
- Ace Relax: Inadequate list of workers; lack of proper lighting; lack of sign warning against human trafficking; curtains, blinds, screening violation.
- April Massage: Inadequate list of workers; inadequate records of services provided; improper window tint/glazing; curtains, blinds, screening violation.
- Healing Touch: Records not kept for two years; lack of proper lighting; lack of sign warning against human trafficking; blinds, screening violation.
- Rose Massage: Inadequate list of workers; inadequate records of services provided; no owner, manager, supervisor on premises; lack of proper lighting; curtains, blinds, screening violation.
- Violet Massage Therapy: Inadequate list of workers; inadequate records of services provided; lack of proper lighting; curtains, blinds, screening violation.
WSBTV
