(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — On Thursday, the Illinois Attorney General’s office charged eight massage parlors located throughout Cook, DuPage, Lake, and Will Counties with money laundering and promoting prostitution.
The investigation began when Naperville police discovered suspicious online ads connected to the massage parlors.
That discovery led to a three-year investigation by several state and federal law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service, the Illinois State Police, as well as the Naperville Police Department.
According to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, officers were solicited for sexual acts during several undercover operations at the businesses.
During arraignment, three defendants were each charged with six counts of money laundering and three counts of promoting prostitution. All three pleaded not guilty.
In a press release from the state’s Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Special Agent Gabriel Gonzalez said his office is dedicated to the eradication of sexual exploitation and money laundering.
“While many believe these are victimless crimes, that is not accurate,” Gonzalez said. “Not only do the individuals being exploited suffer, but the community as a whole are endangered by the many associated crimes this type of illegal activity brings to their neighborhoods.”
Their next court date is set for mid-August.
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