Despite a woman’s plea for a second chance and promise to run a business of integrity, the Coeur d’Alene City Council on Monday affirmed the city’s September denial of a massage facility license. 

Councilman Dan English said massage businesses can present risks to the community.  

“I was born and raised here, so I’m pretty protective,” he said. 

The applicant, Dehong Marchtaler, lives in Texas. 

“One of my concerns is you don’t live here,” Councilman Dan Gookin said. 

Marchtaler said she would maintain “Sparadise” at 408 E. Montana Ave. with high ethical standards, treat customers with care and honesty, in a safe and clean environment.  

“I am capable of managing a professional and compliant spa,” she said. 

She said she operated two businesses successfully in California. 

“Both ventures demonstrate long-standing dedication to building community-centered businesses,” Marchtaler said. 

But her Sept. 8 application for the massage therapy facility license with the city was denied, “based on your submission of false and misleading information to the State of Idaho regarding your massage therapist license. 

“Specifically, you failed to disclose the revocation of your massage therapist certificate by the California Massage Therapy Council on Nov. 17, 2016, and the reasons therefore, which go to character and the fitness to engage in this type of business. 

“Because of this, we have deemed that you do not have the required good moral character to obtain a massage facility license and that issuing a license would harm public safety, morals, and welfare,” according to a city letter sent to Marchtaler. 

One of the reasons cited by the California council for the revocation was that Marchtaler “failed to properly supervise a massage provider, you allowed sex acts to occur on the premises of a massage establishment you own, you committed an act punishable as a sexually related crime.” 

Marchtaler said she didn’t disclose it because it happened nearly 10 years ago and involved a single staff member. 

“For that, I am deeply sorry,” she said. 

She said she learned from past experiences, now has clear policies, enhanced staff oversight and renewed commitment to quality. 

“I truly believe the past has been settled,” she said. 

She assured the council that moving forward she would be “honest in all matters.” 

Marchtaler said she loved Coeur d’Alene and only wanted to provide a place for healing and relaxation. Sparadise would also offer red light therapy, foot detox treatments and a wellness-focused health preservation services.

“I ask for another opportunity to earn your trust,” she said. 

Massage facilities were the subject of a Coeur d'Alene police investigation earlier this year. 

In February, the city revoked the business licenses of five massage facilities, citing allegations of illegal sexual activity. Police said detectives began investigating the facilities after receiving reports of “unwanted sexual touching.” 

Investigators were concerned that some employees of the massage businesses may be victims of sex trafficking, according to police in a previous Press story.

“Due to the nature of these crimes, prosecution in these cases is challenging and criminal charges were declined by local prosecutors,” police said in a news release. “However, the nature and volume of the allegations was compelling enough for the city to revoke the business licenses at these establishments.” 

Marchtaler said she had no intention of doing anything unlawful. She said the city can’t define who she was in the past or what she will be tomorrow. 

“I’m here to ask for a second chance to do something good,” Marchtaler said. 

But the City Council voted 5-0 vote to affirm the denial of the massage facility license. 

Councilman Kenny Gabriel said Marchtaler’s failure to disclose previous problems with her massage business in California could not be easily dismissed. 

“Those were huge things left out,” he said.