Wayne Lefkowitz, 56, of Toms River, and Guihua Cui, 51, also of Toms River. (Photos: OCPO)
A Toms River couple have been charged following a year-long investigation into money laundering and prostitution stemming from the operation of what appeared to be a legitimate spa business in the township.
Wayne Lefkowitz, 56, and Guihua Cui, 51, a married couple from Toms River, were each charged with promoting prostitution in violation of as well as and two counts of money laundering.
The investigation, conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, revealed that a business known as Spa 1800, located on Lakewood Road in Toms River, was owned and operated by Lefkowitz and Cui. Although the spa appeared to be operating as a legitimate business, individuals patronizing the spa were allegedly “offered sexual favors in exchange for money,” a statement from the prosecutor’s office said. Additionally, Lefkowitz and Cui are alleged to have deposited monetary proceeds from the spa into several different bank accounts in an attempt to avoid transaction reporting requirements under New Jersey state law.
Spa 1800, Toms River. (Credit: Google Maps)
On April 28, detectives from the prosecutors office, along with township and state police, executed court-authorized search warrants on Spa 1800 and Lefkowitz’s and Cui’s residence on McCormick Drive in Toms River. Detectives also executed court-authorized seizure orders on bank accounts held by Lefkowitz and Cui. The pair were charged on summonses pending a future court date.
