State House Insider and DMV Administrator Tied to Building Housing Alleged Cranston Massage Parlor
Saturday, June 19, 2021
One of Rhode Island's most powerful couples owns one of the buildings tied to the ownership that housed an illegal massage parlor.
Lynne Urbani Craddock, a long-time top staffer to then-Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello and who has continued to work for the Rhode Island General Assembly, and her husband control the building located at 1732 Broad Street via a corporation LUC Realty Holdings (Urbani Craddock’s initials), according to Cranston tax records.
The holding company owns a number of other properties in Cranston.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTLUC Realty Holdings is managed by her husband Walter Craddock according to state business records filed with the RI Secretary of State’s office. Craddock also serves as the Administrator of the Division of Motor Vehicles. He earns $151,780.98 according to state data.
Urbani Craddock serves as Director of House Policy and earns $152,146.02.
According to Cranston Police, “Following numerous reports of suspicious activity at six separate locations throughout the city, the Cranston Police Department’s Special Victims Unit embarked on a month’s long investigation that culminated in a coordinated raid of these of suspected illegal businesses. During their investigation, Detectives uncovered what they believe to be evidence of labor trafficking as well as prostitution. A substantial amount of United States currency was seized, and records and information will be utilized in an ongoing investigation of human trafficking. The US Department of Homeland Security Investigations continues to assist with the joint investigation.”
The following locations were shut down as a result of this investigation according to Cranston Police:
• 761 Park Ave, Cranston (Tim’s and Maria Hair Salon)
• 938 Park Ave, Cranston (unnamed business)
• 973 Reservoir Ave, Cranston (unnamed business)
• 1732 Broad St, Cranston (unnamed business)
• 1340 Plainfield St, Cranston (Little Genie Tanning Salon)
• 96 Rolfe Square, Cranston (Natural Care Foot Spa)
A number of the women arrested listed their addresses as the massage parlors.
And, according to Cranston Police, Ann Woo, 58, of Cranston, RI, was also arrested at the Little Genie Tanning Salon for Practicing of Massages, License Required, and Pandering/Permitting Prostitution. The Cranston Police Department previously arrested Woo in 2014 for similar charges.
In addition, all property owners were notified of the illegal activity occurring at each location. They will be receiving official notice of yesterday’s actions by the City of Cranston. Members of the Cranston Building Inspectors Office and the Cranston Fire Department accompanied Detectives due to suspected zoning and fire code violations.
Winquist said in a statement, “Yesterday’s operation demonstrates the commitment that our police department has in shuttering businesses in our city that our fronts for illegal activity to include prostitution and sex trafficking. Our residents deserve to live in a peaceful and safe community, and we take all quality life issues seriously. I thank the many residents that brought these illegal businesses to our attention. We are also sensitive to the fact that many individuals are often forced to engage in prostitution and to live in squalled living conditions out of fear. We are actively assisting many of the persons encountered during yesterday’s operation with various resources that will help them escape the situation that was imposed on them.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: The addresses of the women arrested have been removed from this article.
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