ALBANY, N.Y. -- Big Apple Oriental Tours owners Norman Barabash of
Bellerose, N.Y., and Douglas Allen of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., were
indicted last month for allegedly using their tour operator
business to solicit customers for prostitution rings operating from
Southeast Asia.
And, a judge in the Supreme Court of Duchess County issued a
restraining order that prohibits the company from doing
business.
The court also issued a stay until the criminal case is resolved
of a civil suit that New York attorney general Elliot Spitzer's
office filed in the summer against the company.
The tour operator allegedly operated "sex tours," which included
negotiating fees for prostitution, to the Philippines and
Thailand.
The advertised packages for a trip to the Philippines included
transportation, air fare, accommodations and the choice of a
"companion," according to the suit.
The indictment followed a year-long investigation by the
attorney general's office. The attorney general's civil suit
against the company alleged that the owners ran an illegal
business.
The defendants could not be reached for comment.
To contact reporter David Cogswell, send e-mail to [email protected].