An Ocean City spa owner accused of offering sexual services in exchange for money had her first court appearance Friday.
Grace Li, 61, needed a Mandarin interpreter, said she would be applying for a public defender.
The woman, who gave the judge a New York City address, owns the L&G Spa on Ninth Street in Ocean City.
Two officers were allegedly offered sexual acts for money, according to the charge read by Municipal Court Judge Marian Ragusa.
Li told the judge that she had her phone and identification taken during the arrest and asked about getting them back. Ragusa said she had no control over that and it could be handled by her attorney, when she gets one.
“No reason,” Li said outside the courtroom, when asked about the charges, as a man with her explained she didn’t understand English.
“I’m sorry,” she then said.
Li is charged with managing a house of prostitution, a third-degree crime that could carry three to five years in prison.
She is free on a summons. Her next court date is Feb. 28.
