Frenchko accuses her opponent

Says candidate is landlord to a massage parlor that is allegedly under investigation

WARREN -- Trumbull County Commissioner Niki Frenchko used the public speaking section of Wednesday's commissioners meeting to allege that her Republican primary opponent Rick Hernandez is landlord to a massage parlor allegedly under investigation for sex trafficking.

"I invite Mr. Hernandez to sue me," Frenchko said.

She showed the crowd attending the commissioners meeting a copy of an advertisement for "gentleman's special" at 3C Foot Spa, 180 W. Liberty St., depicting a young girl holding a teddy bear.

"This is a (township) trustee that is harboring what appears to be human trafficking," Frenchko said. "It is being investigated at your facility and you're concealing it."

Hernandez, a Hubbard Township trustee who is running against Frenchko for county commissioner in the March Republican primary election, denied the allegations.

"I have no proof she (business owner) has done anything illegal or unscrupulous," Hernandez said.

Frenchko described providing information to the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force after receiving complaints about activities suspected at the spa.

Representatives of the task force did not respond to a request seeking information about the matter on Wednesday.

Hubbard police Chief Robert Thompson said he received no complaints about the establishment, but said he was aware the commissioner might have sent information to the Human Trafficking Task Force.

Thompson said he would not comment on any active investigation being conducted by his department.

"The only call for service we received at that address was last year," Thompson said. "A door was left open."

Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle also said he was contacted by Frenchko last week.

Kyle said the city was not aware of any complaints lodged against the business. He added that city officials ensure all businesses operating in Hubbard city have obtained appropriate operating permits before opening.

Hernandez acknowledged that he owns the building at 180 W. Liberty St., but said he has no association with operations by the business.

Hernandez described 3C Foot Spa as a legitimate reflexology and foot massage business.

"Prior to renting the building to the current tenant for use as a mini-spa and massage business, I performed my due diligence in making sure the business was legitimate and not performing any illegal services," Hernandez said. "In addition, I had a criminal background check, as well as a credit check performed. I also verified that the company is registered to do business in Ohio."

Hernandez noted that the registrar for the business is 88 Accounting Corp., which is based in Flushing, New York. It is an accounting and CPA firm, he said.

"I spoke to the Trumbull County Board of Health and the (Hubbard) chief of police to make sure there were no prior complaints and that no laws were being broken by allowing a massage therapist to operate in the building," Hernandez said. "They both informed me that it was, in fact, legal and an acceptable business."

He said the business' owner is age 50, and one other employee there is age 35.

"There are no young girls employed there," he said.

Hernandez said he cannot control advertisements by the business.

"As a landlord, I cannot discriminate due to race, religion or gender," Hernandez said. "I have no proof she has done anything illegal or unscrupulous. This is all speculation on the part of a few residents who have never even been inside the business. Should I find out otherwise, she (tenant) will be immediately asked to vacate the building."

The Tribune Chronicle attempted to reach the owner of 3C Foot Spa by phone Wednesday for comment about the allegations. The person who answered the phone spoke with a heavy accent and stated she did not understand the reporter's question.

"I can't believe in Trumbull County that someone is running for office to defend a massage parlor where there is an investigation by a task force for sex trafficking,” Frenchko said.

Frenchko's fellow commissioners, Mauro Cantalamessa and Denny Malloy, criticized Frenchko for what appeared to be an attempt to use time at a commissioners meeting to attempt to smear her political opponent.

Frenchko said the allegations of sex trafficking need to be investigated and the matter is unrelated to the election.

Hernandez said he would not sue Frenchko, but he hopes the owner of the foot massage parlor would.