MoCo's Seth Hurwitz Pleads Guilty To Soliciting Prostitution

ROCKVILLE, MD — Seth Hurwitz, the co-owner of two popular D.C. music venues, pleaded guilty Thursday to soliciting prostitution from a massage therapist. As part of his plea agreement, Hurwitz was handed a one-year suspended jail sentence and three years of probation, court records reveal.

Hurwitz, 61, is owner of the 9:30 Club and The Anthem in D.C. He is also the chairman of I.M.P. Concerts — a concert and production company that operates Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. All three venues have hosted popular musical acts including Hootie & The Blowfish, Thomas Rhett, T.I., Blink-182, and Billie Eilish.

At a hearing Thursday in Montgomery County District Court, the victim called Hurwitz's behavior"very triggering," according to WTOP.

"I am a respected licensed professional," she said while surrounded by loved ones. "Here, I've been diminished to someone's sex toy."

According to multiple media outlets, Hurwitz listened with his head down and apologized to the woman.

"I'm sorry that I hurt her, if I did," he said, per NBC 4 Washington.

"When I read the police report, I realized I have some serious issues. I started thinking about my self-centered behavior causing others pain," he added.

Montgomery County police arrested Hurwitz, a Bethesda resident, on Aug. 21, after a licensed massage therapist told police that he had solicited prostitution at her place of work. Authorities have not released the name of the victim's business to protect her identity.

The victim told detectives that Hurwitz made sexual comments and inappropriate sexual motions during a massage session on Aug. 15. At one point, he reportedly implied that she'd get a larger tip if she performed sexual acts, and placed a roll of money on the floor.

"Twice during the interaction, Hurwitz asked the victim if she would consider coming to his home and providing a massage," police said.

The massage therapist reportedly declined his offer and "ended the massage early due to Hurwitz's increasing inappropriate sexual behavior," police added.

Hurwitz texted and called her the following day, asking if she would come to his Bethesda home. Police said detectives were with the victim during their exchange, in which Hurwitz agreed to pay cash in exchange for sexual favors. In a follow-up text message conversation, Hurwitz told the victim he'd come to her place of business on Aug. 21.

When he came to meet her that day, Hurwitz was arrested and taken to the Central Processing Unit in Rockville where he was charged with solicitation for prostitution.

After getting arrested, Hurwitz sent an email to his staff, saying he was "stepping aside for the time being" and putting the company's chief operating officer, Donna Westmoreland, in charge of I.M.P., according to Billboard.

After pleading guilty to the misdemeanor charge, Hurwitz sent another email to his staff, the news outlet report. The full statement can be found below:

"Everything happens for a reason."

This is true, but not in the spiritual sense. It's what you do afterwards that decides how that goes.
They also say adversity is an opportunity. For me, this was, in fact, a great opportunity to step back and take a look at who I really am. Definitely needed some work.

Rather than present my side of this story in a court, with all that unwanted drama, I am going to do what's best for my family and employees and put this behind us. There are simply times when, regardless of the facts or the law, it is much better to plead or settle and move on. This is one of those times.

Believe it or not, I truly believe that this will end up being a positive if painful lesson and make me a better person. I spent a good bit of time away working hard on me. And it taught me to continue to do so...why not. I highly recommend this for anyone...and not to wait for an issue to force it.
Again, I am sorry for any distress I may have caused you about who you work for. Hopefully, someday, you will be more proud than ever about our work and the principles we stand for.

I appreciate everyone minding the shop while I was away. As I always realize, more and more, our venues are really about you.