Former spa owner gets $4,000 fine for operating bawdy house

A former spa owner has pleaded guilty to allowing her business to be used as a common bawdy house after accusations against one of her employees led to charges being laid against her.

A man alleged he had been sexually assaulted and extorted by one of the employees at Simi Magic Spa on St. Anne's Road, owned by Simple Mehta, 41, who was charged in 2016.

Pam Sandhu, who worked at Simi Magic Spa, was also charged.

The man, who was in a business relationship with Mehta, said he had been sexually assaulted, videotaped and subsequently threatened with the footage.

Crown prosecutor Alanna Hall said at least two of Mehta's employees, one of whom was interviewed by police, offered male clients "extra services" of a sexual nature in exchange for extra cash, which they kept. 

"As the owner in charge and control of the business, Ms. Mehta was therefore aware of the conduct occurring in the establishment. She knowingly permitted and encouraged it to occur there, and she benefited in part from it," Hall said.

Provincial court Judge Kusham Sharma fined Mehta $4,000 and sentenced her to 18 months of unsupervised probation.

Mehta was charged with several other offences, including human trafficking, extortion and conspiray to commit an indictable offence, but those charges were stayed.

"The allegation she's pled guilty to today is a mere shadow of what was originally alleged. A number of charges have been dropped," said defence lawyer Bruce Bonney.

Bonney added there were "a significant amount of exigent circumstances" that led to the other charges being stayed. 

Sandhu has been missing since October 2017, after her bail was revoked. She is charged with voyeurism, sexual assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.