Former massage parlor owner pleads guilty to attempted bribery

Staff report

WARREN

Chong Suk Williams, 72, owner of the former Suzi Kim’s massage parlor in Niles, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted bribery Monday, avoiding a trial that was scheduled to begin later Monday.

Williams was indicted on two counts of bribery, accused by Niles police of trying twice to bribe an inspector with the Niles Fire Department in July 2013.

The inspector said Williams offered the bribes in an attempt to get a favorable report so the spa could reopen after Niles officials closed it down earlier for violations of health, income-tax, fire, building and zoning and police ordinances.

The business remains closed.

Williams, of Cool Springs Church, Mercer, Pa., could have gotten several years in prison on each bribery count if she would have been convicted at trial.

With her plea to attempted bribery, she could get probation or up to 18 months in prison.

Gina Arnaut, assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said she was willing to allow Williams to plead to the reduced charge because Williams is 72, has no previous record and because of her limited ability to understand English.

An interpreter was hired to provide Williams with assistance in understanding her court proceedings in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Peter Kontos will sentence Williams in about five weeks, after the Trumbull County Adult Probation Department conducts a presentence investigation.