The former owner of an illicit massage parlor in San Francisco that drew numerous city code violations dating back to 2019 was ordered to pay the city $200,000 amid allegations that the business was operating as a brothel.
The business at 428 O’Farrell St. that was owned by Ricky Lee was already shut down in 2019, when it was called Empire Massage. The city alleged that it was operating as a house of prostitution and revoked the business’ massage permit that year.
But the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office alleged that the same activity was going on at the business that took its place, which Lee named Empire Relaxation Spa.
In addition to giving massages, which the business was no longer permitted to offer, workers allegedly offered undercover police sexual acts in exchange for money. The business also allegedly operated in unsafe and unsanitary conditions that drew over a dozen violations from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, according to a news release from City Attorney David Chiu’s office.
Lee was ordered to refrain from starting a similar spa or massage business in California for the next decade. An attorney listed as Lee’s legal representative, Salvatore Timpano, was unavailable for comment Wednesday afternoon.
The property’s owners were similarly barred by the stipulated judgement from renting to a spa or massage business for 10 years. They were fined $75,000 by the city and will face further fines if the activity is found to be continuing during that time.
“Empire Relaxation Spa was blatantly operating as a brothel, and was an ongoing nuisance for the surrounding community,” Chiu said in a statement.
Health violations that were found included rodent droppings, towel warmers kept in unsanitary conditions, and massage tables without proper coverings. Evidence of workers living in the space was also found, which was not permitted, according to the City Attorney’s Office.
“The conditions in the facility were unsettling due to various health and safety violations, and it was apparent that sex workers were living in those conditions. The business and property owners ignored numerous notices of violations from city departments,” Chiu said.
The city began investigating Lee’s businesses in May 2019 when an undercover police officer allegedly was solicited for sexual acts while inside the business. By July, Lee’s massage license was revoked, but Empire Relaxation Spa was immediately established in its place. By February 2020, violations were again being noted by city inspectors, including unauthorized massages.
In April 2024, a patron at the business filed a police report alleging that a masseuse touched his genitals without permission. Multiple follow-up decoy operations by the SFPD and health inspectors allegedly revealed ongoing evidence of sex work on multiple visits in 2025, leading to proceedings to shut the business down.
“This case exemplifies just how important San Francisco Department of Public Health inspections are to the health and well-being of our communities,” said Jen Callewaert, acting director of the Department of Public Health’s Environmental Health Branch.