Chapter 7: The Prostitution Sting at Gramarossa-Owned Property

On March 10, 2025, the LaPorte County Drug Task Force executed a coordinated, multi-agency prostitution sting operation in Michigan City dubbed "Operation Heavenly Hands." The operation resulted in the arrest of five women at three separate massage parlors. One of those three locations — Green Spa at 1416 Franklin Street, Michigan City — is a commercial property owned by Commissioner Connie Gramarossa and her husband, Richard Gramarossa [1].

The Investigation and Arrests

The investigation began in November 2024, after authorities received complaints about possible prostitution and human trafficking at several Michigan City massage businesses. Undercover officers conducted surveillance operations at multiple locations throughout January and February 2025 [2].

On March 10, 2025, search warrants were executed simultaneously at all three locations. At the Green Spa, on property owned by Connie Gramarossa, two women from Chicago were arrested: Zhangping Chen, 53, and Xiaozhi Zeng, 51, were both charged with Class A Misdemeanor Prostitution. More than $2,900 in cash was seized from the 1416 Franklin Street location [1].

Gramarossa’s Response

As of the date of this report, Commissioner Gramarossa has issued no public statement regarding the raid on her property. Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch issued a statement declaring: "Michigan City will not tolerate illegal activity, and we will continue to uphold public safety and quality of life for our residents" [3].

No charges have been filed against Commissioner Gramarossa or her husband in connection with the operation of the massage parlor or the illegal activity that occurred on their property. The investigation was described by authorities as ongoing [1].

References

[1] Make LaPorte Great Again / LaPorte County Sheriff's Office. (2025, March 11). LaPorte County Drug Task Force Busts Three Massage Parlors in Prostitution Sting. https://www.facebook.com/MakeLaPorteGreatAgain/posts/622677480522704/ (Court documents filed in LaPorte Superior Court 4, March 11, 2025)

[2] WNDU. (2025, March 11). 5 women arrested for prostitution at Michigan City massage parlors. https://www.wndu.com/2025/03/11/5-arrested-prostitution-laporte-county-massage-parlors/

[3] South Bend Tribune. (2025, March 12). 5 Chicago women charged with running prostitution out of 3 Michigan City massage parlors. https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/crime/2025/03/12/five-charged-with-prostitution-at-three-laporte-county-massage-parlors/82323540007/