Austin-based massage parlor operating 'illicit massage business;' Paxton files lawsuit

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he filed a lawsuit related to an Austin-based massage parlor for allegedly “operating an illicit massage business.”

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said Paxton filed a nuisance abatement lawsuit asking the Williamson County Courts to stop the massage parlor, which he said violated the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

“The lawsuit was filed after an investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Criminal Investigations Unit found evidence of illicit sexual activity occurring at the business,” OAG said.

KXAN reached out to the Williamson County Courts for the defendant's response to the lawsuit and also called the massage parlor for a statement, but one was not given.

According to OAG, an estimated 1,000 illicit massage businesses operate in Texas.

“These businesses sell commercial sex under the guise of legitimate massage services and many of the women employed at such establishments are victims of human trafficking. The OAG’s Human Trafficking Division is committed to eradicating these illegal businesses and sending the message that they will not be tolerated in our communities,” OAG said.