GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4)- FBI agents busted a massage business in Golden they say was a front for prostitution.
The crime is one the U.S. Attorney’s Office says is becoming a bigger problem across the Front Range. In the past year, FBI agents have busted spas in Golden, Northglenn, Edgewater and Arapahoe County.
Happy Feet in Golden is located near the Rocky Mountain School for the Deaf. The business, which has been closed, advertised foot and body reflexology on its outdoor sign.
“Did some Googling online and the advertising was such that it didn’t leave any question that it was happy endings not happy feet,” said Ruff’s BBQ owner Stephan Ruffatti.
Business owners in the same shopping complex said they knew from looking inside and the type of clientele going in and out of Happy Feet that something else was going on.
“They had an almost instant clientele which was impressive and it was all male… all times of the day and night,” said Ruffatti.
Ruffatti the business Ruff’s BBQ in the same shopping center as Happy Feet. He said the ads were suspect when claiming “New Asian beauties each month will take care of what your body needs.”
Paula Hawkins owns the Curves gym next door. She said when her female members tried to go inside Happy Feet they were met with resistance.
“It was quickly dismissed so that was the first clue that something wasn’t normal if women weren’t welcome,” said Hawkins.
The federal indictment states that defendants Hyosook Ko and Patrick Kim supplied the prostitutes, condoms, shower massage tables and provided the prostitutes housing.
Federal agents said the money made at Happy Feet was then laundered to South Korea. Other portions of the federal indictment include the purchase of condoms from a bulk delivery service.
Just two doors down the Rocky Mountain School for the Deaf where parents and their children come and go on a regular basis.
“We don’t want that kind of stuff around here because it can lead to anything,” said Ruffatti.
