penny pinching pimp

Six charged after O.C. investigation turns up ring of 10 brothels
H.G. Reza, LA Times, 3/22/07

The brothels, operated by five Chinese nationals and an American, were advertised as acupuncture centers and massage parlors, but sex was the only service offered, Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas said at a news conference today.

In an apparent effort to economize, customers were asked to use plastic food wrap instead of condoms. Jian Shi, a 49-year-old Montebello resident and ringleader, purchased 7,500 square feet of plastic wrap over a two-month period, said Rackauckas.

"I really don't think about [plastic food wrap] in the same way anymore," the district attorney said.