ORLANDO, Fla. — A spa in one of Orlando's popular neighborhoods was closed Monday after agents arrested a masseuse for alleged prostitution.
The Lavender Spa sits on Colonial Drive in the Mills 50 district of Orlando near restaurants and grocery stores. A legitimate spa is right next door and its owner told Channel 9 men have mixed up the businesses and asked for a "special massage" that's not on the menu.
According to investigators, at least three employees at the Lavender Spa were giving out more than just massages. The front of the business is completely blacked out with curtains.
"What was going on inside there?" asked reporter Karla Ray.
The masseuse said nothing as she was being taken to the Orange County Jail on prostitution charges. The arrest came after investigators said she offered an undercover agent sex inside a massage room.
"This attracts seedy people and it could hurt business," said Sgt. Roland Rivera with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.
Channel 9 was there as several massage tables and towel warmers were taken out of the business, which is right behind historic family homes.
"Nobody's going to want that kind of activity in their neighborhood, so I would assume people would be hurt by that when they find out what's going on," said Rivera.
Also on scene Monday was Orlando Code Enforcement, which is making its own effort to shut down businesses conducting illegal activities.