ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) -- A spa owner has been charged with aiding and abetting prostitution and bribery following an investigation by the Asheville Police Department Special Victims Unit.

55-year-old Jianmei Gao, of Flushing, NY, faces charges after detectives linked her to crimes at two massage parlors in Asheville. Police said Gao previously operated Hope Massage on Henderson Road, which was shut down in March 2025 for operating without a license.

The investigation began after multiple community complaints suggested prostitution was occurring at the massage parlors. Detectives discovered that Gao had attempted to bribe an Asheville Police detective with thousands of dollars over a two-month period, offering insider information about law enforcement activities.

As part of the investig

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