Four Northampton body work businesses under investigation for allegedly offering sexual contact for money; two closed

NORTHAMPTON — Two Northampton body work businesses were shuttered by officials Friday for multiple code violations as part of a multi-agency investigation to determine, in part, if they and two other city businesses were offering sexual contact for money, according to Northampton police Capt. Jody Kasper.



At least three of the body work businesses were cited for multiple non-criminal code violations after a cooperative investigation by eight local, state and federal agencies Friday. No criminal charges have been filed yet, and the police investigation continues, according to Kasper.



Revival Body Works and Massage in the Potpourri Plaza at 241 King St. and Relax and Wellness Asian Massage at 6 Market St. were ordered closed after being condemned by the Northampton Board of Health. Relax and Wellness Asian Massage was also ordered closed by the state Department of Industrial Accidents for violating workers’ compensation law.



The inside of both businesses were dark Friday night and signs posted on their doors explained that they had been ordered closed.



Two businesses in Florence, Therapeutic Body Works at 44 Maple St. and Pine Street Inc. at 176 Pine St., are also subjects of the investigation.



The investigation began in April 2014 when Northampton police received a report that one of the businesses — which has not been publicly identified — was offering sexual contact for money. The ensuing investigation included surveillance, interviews with witnesses and victims and information-gathering from multiple websites, according to the statement issued by the Police Department.



During the investigation, police determined that the other three businesses were also allegedly offering sexual contact for money. Kasper said that some of the violations found Friday were a result of people living at some of the businesses. She was unable to provide further details because the citations were not issued by the Police Department.



Attempts to reach Northampton Health Department officials were unsuccessful Friday.



Over the course of the investigation, police worked with the Northwestern district attorney’s office, the Northwestern District Anti-Crime Task Force, the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure, the Northampton fire and health departments, and the Department of Homeland Security.



Representatives from most of these agencies conducted the administrative inspections Friday, according to the statement.



At Therapeutic Body Works, the neon “open” sign was turned off Friday night, although a woman who identified herself as the owner answered the door. The woman, who declined to give her name, said investigators erroneously cited her for not having proper insurance. She said she expected to reopen after she received proof of insurance by fax Monday and added that she is fully licensed.



Pine Street Inc., remained open Friday night. According to a sign on the door, the business offers Swedish, hot stone and foot massages. Both women inside the business said they did not understand a Gazette reporter’s questions about the investigation.



The investigation is unrelated to the Wednesday arrest of cosmetologist Eric P. Poulin of South Hadley, according to Kasper. Poulin pleaded not guilty in Northampton District Court to a single count of offering to engage in sexual conduct for a fee in the back of HairMasterz salon, at 141 Northampton St. in Easthampton.



Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com.





