Wauwatosa Considering Updating Massage Parlor License Law

WAUWATOSA, WI — About a month after authorities shut down a massage parlor in neighboring West Allis over concerns that a prostitution organization was operating behind closed doors, officials in Wauwatosa are working to shore up local licensing regulations for massage parlors.

On Feb. 25, members of the Wauwatosa Community Fairs Committee will meet at City Hall to revise Wauwatosa ordinances that pertain to massage parlors to they comply with state law.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit individuals and businesses from operating in Wauwatosa without a State license, would prohibit businesses from hiring individuals without State licenses, and would prohibit individuals from contracting for services from an individual or business without a State license.

The proposed ordinance also calls for the maximum penalty allowable under state law of up to $1,000 for each day of ongoing violations.

Authorities Shut Down Asian Massage

Asian Massage, a massage parlor located at 92nd Street and Greenfield Ave. was shut down in January by local authorities after police said the owner ran a prostitution operation there. The owner and two employees have been criminally charged, officials say.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, authorities began investigating the massage parlor in Aug. 2019 when West Allis police received a tip about a potential prostitution operation there.

Court records show that Li Wang, 59, of West Allis, has been charged with keeping a place of prostitution - sexual contact. Two other women - a 44-year-old West Allis woman and a 42-year-old West Allis woman, have been charged with prostitution in the scheme. Li's case, as well as those of the other two women, are currently working their way through Milwaukee County Circuit Court.