Brothel told to pay up

– Kelly Yates
A SPRINGVALE brothel operator has been ordered to pay $12,000 in fines after Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) found the premises to be operating without a licence.
Gerald Seah of Glen Waverley operated Mademoiselles brothel after purchasing the business, which had previously been licensed.
Mr Seah was charged with trading in breach of his licence condition under Victoria’s Prostitution Control Act 1994.
He was found guilty by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last week and was ordered to pay $2000 in fines and $10,000 in costs to CAV.
The court also ordered the destruction of computers and hardware seized by CAV inspectors.
Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said the successful court outcome showed the value of CAV’s brothel inspection program.
“It is work that has resulted in several investigations into prostitution service providers over allegations involving employment of underage workers, sexual servitude and harassment of workers,” he said.