DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) – The Delaware Department of Justice is suing Da Zhong Wang of Smyrna for allegedly using massage parlors in the state as fronts for prostitution.
Wang owned and operated four massage parlors in Delaware – one each in Middletown, Dover, Smyrna and Rehoboth Beach. In August 2015, Wang pled guilty to one count of permitting prostitution. According to the state, undercover officers were solicited for prostitution at the massage parlors.
The state now seeks $700,000 in civil penalties for violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute – $100,000 for each of the seven violations. RICO exists to combat criminal activity by preventing the use of both illegal and legal activities that can help further criminal activities.
The state will also ask the court to ban Wang from owning, operating or having any business in the massage industry in Delaware. The Department of Justice plans to look into whether Wang still owns any other facilities in the state.
Handling the case is Deputy Attorney General Oliver Cleary.