City Attorney Mike Feuer said has filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles-based massage salons after allegations their owners were operating a ring of brothels.

“We allege these massage parlors are epicenters of illicit activity that exploit women and blight communities,” said Feuer in a statement.

The lawsuit named several business owners, who were involved in operating brothels, including Helen Haihong Huang, Mark Richard Vitatern and MHWI International Inc. Huang has been arrested multiple times for prostitution and pimping.

The salon advertised its services online and via text messaging, according to the lawsuit. Authorities uncovered more than $67,000 in cash in operators’ homes.

The lawsuit seeks civic penalties along with banning real estate owners from letting massage businesses operate in their properties.