Green Bay council denies massage establishment license after police background check flags

The Green Bay Common Council voted 11–1 on Jan. 21 to deny a massage establishment license application after the police department reported background-check findings and unresolved inspection failures.

Police Chief Davis told the council investigators found the applicant’s phone number and business name listed on websites commonly used to advertise illicit massage operations; a city report also flagged inspection issues for the proposed location. "Given the advertising in other states associated with this individual, we believe that it is an unacceptable risk to the city to grant this license," Chief Davis said during the council discussion.

Alder Eck moved to deny the license, citing inspection failures and online advertisements that she said described sexual services tied to businesses owned by the same person. Alder Prophet, citing the police recommendation, supported denial and noted applicants have an appeal path if they dispute findings. Alder Hutchinson opposed tying the decision to conduct at other locations, saying the council’s action should be limited to the facts about the application before them.

Clerk Jeffreys confirmed the city’s licensing records show a previously issued license at 131 S. Military Ave. Council discussion also explored whether that existing license would remain active if the business closed; City Attorney Bongert advised revocation or any separate action on an issued license would follow a separate legal process and should not be folded into the denial vote on this new application.

Alder Johnson proposed an amendment to refer the previously approved application for the same owner to staff for review; the council did not adopt that amendment and proceeded with the denial vote. The motion to deny the license passed 11–1.

Council members who supported denial said the police department’s investigation, which included internet searches showing the applicant’s phone number and business name on sites such as RubMaps and other adult-listing sites, raised unacceptable public-safety and regulatory risks. Members who opposed or hesitated raised due-process concerns and cautioned against penalizing an applicant for advertising or reports tied to businesses outside the city without specific allegations of local criminal conduct.

The council did not state any fines or immediate enforcement actions tied to the denial beyond the license decision; staff and the city attorney were asked to review procedures for issued licenses and potential revocation pathways for already-issued permits.