DUBAI // The owner of a women’s-only massage centre confessed to paying a bribe to an inspector to overlook its violations, a court heard on Thursday.
The Chinese defendant JW, 46, admitted a charge of offering a bribe to a Ministry of Labour inspector but told Dubai Criminal Court that it was he who requested the bribe in the first place.
Prosecutors said that on December 18 last year JW offered MA Dh2,000 in return for writing a positive report about her centre that would result in the lifting of the ban already imposed on it.
Records show that the business had been banned from operating after a number of men had been found receiving massages.
“I know it’s only for women but I allowed men on some occasions, despite knowing it wasn’t allowed by the ministry,” said the Chinese woman.
The inspector added: “When I was inspecting the place, I asked her if she still allowed men in. She said no but, as I stood there, a European man came into the centre.
“She asked him to leave but then I insisted on the truth and she told me she still allows men inside sometimes.”
He added that, when he started writing his report, she offered him the bribe. The inspector informed his manager, who arranged with police that she be arrested as she handed over the money.
However, despite admitting to being involved in the bribe, the defendant denies this chain of events, insisting that the inspector was the one who instigated talk of a cash payment.
She awaits a verdict on May 5.
salamir@thenational.ae