Cedar Grove Officials Look for Violations in Massage Parlors Accused of Prostitution

The Cedar Grove Township Building Department and Health Department are looking to see if township ordinances were violated after several women were arrested on prostitution charges at four local massage parlors, according to Cedar Grove Chief of Police Richard Vanderstreet.

According to a report published Thursday on NorthJersey.com, “In 2011, Cedar Grove updated an ordinance regulating massage parlors that mandated permits and barred sexual contact between employees and customers.”

Township Construction Official John D'Ascensio and Vanderstreet have contacted the Essex County Prosecutor's Office to see whether the massage parlors have violated the rules, the report said.

On Tuesday, May 14, 5 Queens, N.Y. women were arrested on alleged prostitution charges in a police raid on four different massage parlors, all located in close proximity on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove.

Police also seized approximately $2,400 in the raid, which was conducted by plainclothes officers, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly, of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit.

Officials said Wednesday the investigation began two months prior to the arrests following complaints by neighbors.

Verona-Cedar Grove Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.