I was trapped in a suspected brothel. The city just shut it down for good

The San Francisco Standard•January 6, 2026•business

Key Points:

The city has shut down Empire Spa, a Tenderloin massage parlor accused of operating as a brothel, following a lawsuit filed by City Attorney David Chiu in July.
Owner Ricky Lee agreed to a settlement requiring a $200,000 payment and a 10-year ban from owning or working in massage or personal services businesses in California, while property owners Richard and Deborah Bocci face a $75,000 fine and a decade-long prohibition on using the property as a spa.
The spa has been closed since July 25, and the settlement effectively ensures it will not reopen.
The article recounts the reporter’s unusual experience visiting Empire Spa after the lawsuit was filed, including a tour of the massage rooms and a