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Mulan Massage has lost its appeal to reopen at Ford and Canton Center roads.(Photo: Darrell Clem/Hometown Life)


A Canton massage parlor, caught up in a broader criminal investigation by Oakland County authorities, has lost its appeal to reopen after it was shut down in January amid allegations it illegally housed two women and used some unlicensed employees.

Mulan Massage, located in a small shopping center northwest of Ford and Canton Center roads, lost its appeal Tuesday in a sweeping decision by the Canton Township Board of Trustees.

In a separate decision, a second massage parlor, Rebalance Wellness, lost its appeal to start a new business near Ford and Lilley roads because it would be within 1,000 feet of residences and another massage parlor, in violation of township rules. Local officials also cited problems with the license application.

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Mulan Massage had opened in 2015 but was denied a license renewal in January after the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Homeland Security and Canton Township police conducted a search warrant and found violations.

"As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Asian females were habitually residing in that business location," Oakland County Sheriff's Det. Sgt. Christopher Cole wrote in a letter to Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist.

Dennis Woods, an attorney and friend of Mulan Massage owner Tom Liu, said the business has stopped housing masseuses overnight and should be given a second change.

"There's no sex or anything like that going on in there," Woods said. "It's (massage) therapy."

He said Mulan Massage came under scrutiny amidst a wider probe by Oakland County authorities into human trafficking — an investigation Woods predicted will fizzle.

"It's like he's guilty until proven innocent," Woods said, after Tuesday's township board meeting.

Liu said Oakland County still has $17,000 it seized during the ongoing investigation. He said most of the money belonged to his employees.

Liu, who has four other massage parlors still operating in metro Detroit, addressed the Canton board Tuesday night, saying he didn't intentionally violate any local ordinances and pleading for another chance. He said he entered the massage industry to make money for a larger business venture, making interior building materials, he hopes to bring to Canton.

Mulan Massage therapists make $30 an hour. Liu said he is trying to help the local community while bringing masseuses from China to start a better life in America.

But Sgt. Cole, in his Jan. 31 letter, said Mulan Massage "has been under investigation for the past year."

Aside from housing two women in Canton, some masseuses did not have a license they need from the state, said Kristin Kolb, the township's general counsel. Kolb refuted claims by Woods that the employees didn't need a license.

Mulan Massage customer Dan Anderson of Northville came to Tuesday's meeting and said beforehand that he supported the business. He said the masseuses provide therapy he needs after he suffered a stroke and was paralyzed for four months.

"They're fantastic," he said. "They pay taxes just like you and I do."

Township Supervisor Pat Williams said the Canton Public Safety Department recommended the business not be given a license based on violations of local ordinances.

Liu said he isn't sure what his next step will be. He said he still has massage businesses operating in West Bloomfield, Novi, Brighton and Highland.

No new business


Rebalance Wellness, meanwhile, also lost its appeal to start a new business in Canton, in a building northeast of Ford and Lilley roads. Deputy Police Director Chad Baugh said it would violate local ordinances because it would be within 1,000 feet of residences and another massage parlor.

Siegrist also cited problems with owner Zixuan Wan's application. He said it didn't contain all of the three required letters to support the business. Wan asked for time to provide documentation but still lost her appeal.

The board voted 5-2 to deny the appeal, with Trustees Steven Sneideman and Anne Marie Graham-Hudak casting dissenting votes. Sneideman said he preferred to give Wan a chance to provide more documentation.

Even if that happened, Won still would need approval to open her business within 1,000 feet of residences. Township Treasurer Dian Slavens said she believes local officials should adhere to that rule.

The township board's actions pertain only to 2017. Mulan Massage and Rebalance Wellness can come back in 2018 to seek approval.

Contact Darrell Clem: [email protected], Twitter: @CantonObserver, 734-972-0919

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