VAN NUYS : Massage Parlor Suit Alleges Prostitution

Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn filed a civil lawsuit Thursday against a Van Nuys businesswoman who he said was involved in operating “brothels masquerading as massage parlors.”

In Sook Kim, operator of Sun Accupressure and Accupuncture, was named as the defendant in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Deputy City Atty. Henry Burr said.

Undercover detectives made seven prostitution-related arrests at the parlor in the 6900 block of Van Nuys Boulevard in a three-day period last month, Burr said. Two employees were arrested on suspicion of prostitution and five others were arrested on suspicion of working as massage technicians and for operating a business without city permits.

Also named as defendants in the lawsuit were Soohyun Lee Sung and Me Young Schoen, employees at the parlor, Burr said.

The city attorney’s office filed suit against Kim on Sept. 1, alleging that acts of prostitution took place at Valley Accupain Control Center, a massage parlor she operated at 10700 Burbank Blvd. in North Hollywood, Burr said.