Huntington Town plans to boost fines against business owners who host illegal activities

Town of Huntington officials plan to raise the fines for business owners and landlords convicted of using their establishments for illegal activity such as prostitution.

While the measure is aimed at all businesses found violating the public nuisance chapter of the town code, an increasing number of violators are foot spas and massage businesses, said town board member Theresa Mari, sponsor of the resolution.

Since July, officers from the Second Precinct, which covers the town, have arrested 10 people working at businesses townwide that operate as foot spas or massage businesses. Charges ranged from felony unauthorized practice of a profession and third-degree felony promoting prostitution to misdemeanor-level prostitution violations.

The town board held a public hearing Tuesday to consider raising the fine for a first-time violation of the code to between $2,500 and $10,000. Currently, the fine ranges from $1,000 to $5,000. For a second offense, the fine would be between $5,000 and $15,000, up from $2,500 and $7,500.

The town has 90 days from a public hearing to enact a change.

Mari said a lower fine can be considered the cost of doing business and does not serve as a deterrent to illegal activity.

“So someone gets busted and they just pay the fine," she said. "The first offense is $2,500 and goes up to $10,000; maybe someone will take it seriously and police these activities in their building or business if the fines are much higher.”

Possible jail time in addition to the fine remains the same. First-time violators can receive up to 15 days imprisonment. Second-time offenders face up to 15 days imprisonment for each additional offense committed within five years of the first offense, according to the resolution.

The town’s Bureau of Administration Adjudication hears the cases as it oversees the town’s code enforcement violations. Criminal charges are handled by police and the courts.

Mari said the fines were previously increased at her request when she took office in 2024. 

“But over the last year we’ve had so many occurrences and arrests at these foot spas and other places for this behavior,” she said. 

The 10 arrests since July took place at foot spas or massage businesses in Dix Hills, Huntington Station, Huntington, Greenlawn and East Northport.

One business was cited twice this year. Officials from the asset forfeiture unit, Town of Huntington fire marshal and ordinance inspectors also were on site during the raids. On at least one raid, detectives from Suffolk County police's Human Trafficking Investigations Unit also were present.  

Town Supervisor Ed Smyth said town officials continue to look for ways to improve and address quality-of-life issues and “support law enforcement.” He added that Mari’s resolution “sends a clear message that illegal activities will not be tolerated in the Town of Huntington.”