NYC sues all-male massage parlor it claims offers ‘happy endings’ — using anti-peep show strategy - AOL.com

[Peter Senzamici]

Peter Senzamici

November 13, 2024 at 4:43 PM

It could be an unhappy ending for a seedy all-male massage parlor that officials say openly offers hands-on sexual satisfaction.

The city is suing to close down 28 Men’s Spa on the West Side, claiming in court documents filed Wednesday that the spa’s roster of masseurs offered “manual stimulation of the penis” to three undercover cops during separate incidents last summer.

The spa, which goes by M&J Men’s Spa and advertises on social media with pictures of shirtless muscular men, is referenced on websites for gay men seeking “happy endings.”

The city filed a lawsuit Wednesday against 28 Men’s Spa located at 45 West 28th St. in Manhattan accusing it of offering “happy endings.” James Messerschmidt


But a worker told The Post that the city’s claims were “disgusting.”

And spa manager Ping Du said in a brief phone interview that the spa didn’t sell rub-and-tugs for cash but was a “regular massage” parlor.

“No, no, it’s not true,” Du of the city’s claims. “That’s definitely not true.”

Du said he he took over the spa at 45 West 28th St. this past April and confirmed all of their massage therapists and customers are men but he denied any illicit behavior.

“We don’t do that here,” Du said.

The city’s lawsuit claims that three undercover cops were offered happy endings in exchange for cash. James Messerschmidt

The spa also goes by MJ Men’s Spa, according to its social media accounts. MJ Mens Spa


While Du may have taken over in April, the city’s lawsuit claims that three undercover NYPD officers in June and July were offered happy endings inside the spa.

Two workers agreed to offer sex acts — “manual stimulation of his penis,” the complaint reads — for around $80, while a third offered the service for $180, according to the suit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Artwork inside of the spa when The Post visited Wednesday. James Messerschmidt


The lawsuit also cites community complaints to substantiate that the spa “is being used for prostitution.”

“This nuisance abatement case is part of the city’s overall strategy to bring crime down,” said a spokesperson for the city law department. “Prostitution is not only illegal but causes a whole host of other crimes impacting New Yorkers’ quality of life.”

A manager told a Post reporter over the phone that “we don’t do that here. It’s like a regular massage.” James Messerschmidt


By using the city’s nuisance abatement statute — which helped clear out the notorious porno theaters of Times Square years ago — the suit also takes aim at the building owner, whom they claim should have had some idea that one of their tenants practiced the world’s oldest profession.

That means the spa and the landlord could be fined $1,000 per day for every day of illegal activity, according to court papers, while the spa also faces closure for a year.

The spa and the landlord could be fined $1,000 per day for every day of illegal activity, according to court papers, while the spa also faces closure for a year. James Messerschmidt


A co-owner of the building declined to comment when reached by phone, but said she was unaware of the new lawsuit.

In August, the city sued another alleged spa brothel in the East Village, while officials also contend with rampant sex markets in Brooklyn and Queens.