3 Plead Not Guilty In Mass. Prostitution Case

Updated October 19, 2012

The Associated Press

Three people have pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with alleged sex trafficking and prostitution at massage parlors in the Boston area.

Fifty-five-year-old Joseph Girouard of Revere and 49-year-old Wenjie Dong of Malden were arraigned Friday in Chelsea District Court on charges of sex trafficking and keeping a house of prostitution. Dong was released on $1,000 cash bail. Bail of $5,000 was set for Girouard.

Thirty-seven-year-old Zhen Lai of Quincy was arraigned in Dedham District Court on charges of sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy. A judge set $2,000 cash bail.

Prosecutors said Lai and Girouard were business partners in the Sun Spa, also known as the Spa Studio, in Wellesley, and Bodywork in Revere. They allegedly transported women, some from New York, for sex work. Dong managed the Revere parlor.

This article was originally published on October 19, 2012.

This program aired on October 19, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.