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Jupiter day spa surveillance video to be temporarily sealed

Orchids of Asia Day Spa
Posted at 11:23 AM, Apr 29, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-29 18:47:24-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Controversial surveillance video from a Jupiter day spa took center stage in Palm Beach County court Monday afternoon.

Judge Joseph Marx decided to temporarily seal all video and audio recordings gathered by police in the prostitution case against 39-year-old Lei Wang, a worker at Orchids of Asia Day Spa.

That decision follows a similar ruling made last week in the case against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Judge Leonard Hanser ruled surveillance video of Kraft allegedly receiving an illegal sex act cannot be released to the public, at least for now.

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On Monday, Judge Marx said the video and audio recordings must be sealed until a jury is seated, a plea deal is reached, or prosecutors drop charges against Wang.

Jupiter police said surveillance video video showed a masseuse performing a illegal sex act on Kraft on Jan. 19, with Wang present in the private massage room.

Kraft's legal team is asking a judge to block that surveillance video from being admitted as evidence at trial.

In February, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder announced the results of an eight-month investigation, which he said uncovered prostitution operations at five day spas from Jupiter to Hobe Sound.

According to the Sheriff, the spas involved were:

  • Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter
  • Cove Day Spa in Stuart
  • Therapy Spa in Stuart
  • Bridge Day Spa in Hobe Sound
  • Sequoia Apple Day Spa in Hobe Sound

Kraft has pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting another to commit prostitution, and has requested a jury trial.