Empire Relaxation

**Poiuy2** · 08-27-16 12:55

Racketeering law trips up Go Go Spa http://www.staradvertiser.com/?p=603030.

Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro says this week's indictment and arrests of the alleged owners and an employee of a Pawaa massage parlor is part of his department's latest effort to crack down on prostitution by going after the people who profit from it, instead of prostitutes.

Kaneshiro says Rickey Lee Shankles, 52, and Katherine Luo, 54, own Go Go Spa at 1507 S. King St. And that Katchina Moore, 41, is an employee. All three were indicted and arrested Wednesday on state racketeering charges for their association with a business involved in prostitution.

The indictment and arrests were the culmination of a joint operation involving the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Honolulu Police Department and the investigations arm of the USA Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The federal investigation is ongoing, said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Joanna IP.

Kaneshiro said the case started when a prostitute who worked at Go Go Spa decided to cooperate with authorities following her arrest for prostitution in January. He said investigators from the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs confirmed the prostitute's information.

Go Go Spa isn't the first massage business that Kaneshiro has gone after using the state racketeering law.

An Oahu grand jury indicted Lu Liu and Fangchao Liu on racketeering charges in May. Kaneshiro says prostitutes who worked at Empire Relaxation, 436 Ena Road, and are cooperating with law enforcement identified Fangchao Liu, 32, as the owner of the business and Lu Liu, 35, as the manager.

A previous grand jury indicted Biyu Situ, 47, and Wei Li on racketeering charges following a raid on Mayflower Massage in June 2015. Situ is the registered owner of Mayflower, which had been operating in Century Center. Kaneshiro said Situ identified Li as the person who brought women from China to work as prostitutes in USA Massage parlors.

"Our initial investigation indicates, for example, that the defendants in (the Go Go Spa) case likely used immigration fraud to bring women to Honolulu to work at these establishments," IP said.

Kaneshiro said other cooperating prostitutes say they first went to work in New York before coming to Honolulu. He said prostitutes who cooperate don't get prosecuted.

"We're not targeting prostitutes. We're targeting people who profit from prostitution," Kaneshiro said.

The Situ indictment last year came after Kaneshiro refused to prosecute prostitutes whom police had arrested for sexual assault and his vocal opposition to a new state sex trafficking law, which was enacted this year. Kaneshiro said the three racketeering cases have nothing to do with the new law but instead rely on laws that were already on the books.

**Greghawaii1** · 08-26-16 17:11

Originally Posted by RicoSuave808 [View Original Post]

I started this thread 2 1/2 years ago and it was a great run. Empire is done for good so please let this be the last post here and let it sink down to the bottom of the pile with all the other lost soles, RIP.

That's all she wrote.

**Rico Suave808** · 08-09-15 21:46

I started this thread 2 1/2 years ago and it was a great run. Empire is done for good so please let this be the last post here and let it sink down to the bottom of the pile with all the other lost soles, RIP.

**Harrywang** · 08-09-15 15:03

Originally Posted by ShaggyDoo [View Original Post]

Wait. What. Empire is CLOSED? WTH?

Beef lolo has the conversation, pretty heated too.

**ShaggyDoo** · 08-09-15 15:02

Wait. What. Empire is CLOSED? WTH?

**Harrywang** · 08-09-15 06:38

Dear Ivy,

I heard you loud and clear. I won't further speculate publicly about Empire anymore. I will self sensor and move on from this.

I enjoyed very much of the great service from you and would like to give you a sincere gratitude for your hard work and commitment to the community.

Empire will forever be one of the greatest we have seen.

I wish you the best of your next endeavor and business.

There is no banquet in this world that does not end.

Veni, vidi, vici.

Xie xie,

HW.

**Blake123** · 08-09-15 05:42

IMHO, it only stands to reason that if Empire was simply undergoing a renovation, surely we would have been forewarned so as to avoid confusion and uncertainty.

The fact that Empire closed so abruptly and without warning very strongly indicates a serious violation of law occurred.

**Virtua Stick** · 08-08-15 12:41

I had overheard Ivy talking to some guy about building the place out and getting some renovations done. I thought just some repairs as there were some signs of water damage to the restroom / showers. Maybe this is the time for the renos. However, I also know that these businesses come and go. If Empire is gone and you are reading this, Ivy, thank you for the memories. The ladies there were great conversationalists. For the record, there is nothing illegitimate occurring here. I never actually had any sexual relations with any of these women and I made all my reports up for this fantasy site. I don't believe anyone on this site really did anything they claim, other than being great storytellers. This has to be said. Too bad I never got a chance to ask Ivy out to dinner. If I never see you again, Ivy, best of luck with any new ventures!

Best.

VS.

**Harrywang** · 08-08-15 01:18

Originally Posted by MuffinStuffer [View Original Post]

Doesn't seem like they are closed for good. I've seen AC Vendors and Carpentry types abound. They may be doing some work for upkeep. It also doesn't fit with Ivy's tone or anything she said. She was fully committed to keeping business going. LE wasnt bothering them and hasn't made any visits, I would see it or my neighbors would see it and be talking about it.

All warfare is based upon deception.

**NotAThrowAway** · 08-08-15 00:17

Originally Posted by DeepShot [View Original Post]

Which girls and where did they go? Post it. It's a forum.

AFAIK all but one are left as of this morning, not sure of her name. Most went back to the big three cities: LA / NY / LV.

**MuffinStuffer** · 08-07-15 23:11

Originally Posted by MongersRus [View Original Post]

Monger's move on! When Mayflower did, no problem right....

Rus.

Doesn't seem like they are closed for good. I've seen AC Vendors and Carpentry types abound. They may be doing some work for upkeep. It also doesn't fit with Ivy's tone or anything she said. She was fully committed to keeping business going. LE wasnt bothering them and hasn't made any visits, I would see it or my neighbors would see it and be talking about it.

**MuffinStuffer** · 08-07-15 23:07

Originally Posted by NotAThrowAway [View Original Post]

She must know things that we don't. With the recent blurring of the face, the new security cameras (only recently noticed them) and now closing shop for the past two days, I wouldn't take my chances at either Empire or other places. Can never be too safe. Safe mongering all.

I saw the guy doing the work. They had cameras before, not sure he was doing work specifically on the camera or just general electrical work. Looked like he was working on awning too.

**Makiki** · 08-07-15 22:57

Wara left to LA this morning.

**SureYourRight** · 08-07-15 18:27

I rather see them go to more "Happy" place than Hula Girls. Hopefully I'm not the only one thinking that.

**Nutmaker** · 08-07-15 17:47

Originally Posted by Candyman2002 [View Original Post]

In reality though, we mongers here are a small percentage of the total mongers out there.

Hopefully not forever lol

A2

I would have to disagree when it comes to a place like Empire hitting the scene the way it did. Yes, it did have a convenient local for tourists, and the BP ads were nice, but it was through word of mouth that it blew up like it did. Lots of ads in BP and CL to choose from when visiting a city, but returning locals is where the bread is buttered. Just ask the girls that leave places with mostly cab clients for places that have a better reputation and return clients. It's all about the regulars. Back in the days before the net, it took a lot of word of mouth and trial and error. Nowadays, just google it, and the reviews are there. This may not the only site for reviews, but locally, it's probably the busiest. Just ask the girls and mama's. They've found this place just like us and have catered their business models to fit our likes. Ivy did, and her business skyrocketed overnight. We'll have to wait and see if she just was in it for the quick money, or if it's just a hiatus. Maybe she knows something we don't. Idk, just thinking out loud.