US: Indian-origin man sold fake massage-training certificates to prostitution rings
An Indian-origin man in the US has pleaded guilty to selling fraudulent massage-therapy training certificates for several New Jersey parlors that engaged in prostitution. Naresh Rane, 64, from New Jersey pleaded guilty before senior US District Judge Anne Thompson to an indictment charging him with intentionally causing the use of facilities to promote and facilitate the prostitution-business in violation of the New Jersey law.
Rane was willing to provide phony transcripts listing grades, classes
Rane owned and operated Axiom Healthcare Academy, which purported to provide classes in massage therapy training. Rane showed himself as a businessman who, for a fee that ranged from $1,000 to $2,600, could provide massage therapy training certificates to anyone who wished to obtain a massage license without the required training. Rane was also willing to provide phony transcripts listing classes and grades.
Massage-training certificates were given to sex workers in New Jersey
Between November 2013 and March 2014, Rane provided 10 fraudulent massage therapy training certificates and transcripts to a former New Jersey councilman who then gave them to sex workers working in different massage parlors located in Union, Passaic, Hudson and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey.
Rane could be slapped with $250,000 fine
The 64-year-old admitted that he had complete knowledge that the documents he was producing and selling were used to disguise prostitution activities as legitimate massage services in parlors in New Jersey. The charge to which Rane pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for October this year.
