The woman worked with her brother at what authorities say was a suburban house of prostitution.
By GINA PACE
Published August 23, 2006
WESLEY CHAPEL - The Pasco Sheriff's Office has arrested a third person with ties to a Wesley Chapel house where authorities say a massage parlor was really a front for prostitution.
Barbara Beck, 46, was charged Monday night with practicing health care without a license, a felony. She worked at the house in the Seven Oaks development, but is not a licensed massage therapist, according to sheriff's reports.
She is the sister of Richard Beck, 48, who was arrested along with Laura Kessler, 46, this month on charges of racketeering and unlicensed practice of health care.
According to court documents, Barbara Beck assisted Kessler in a sex act with a confidential informant working with the Sheriff's Office.
Spokesman Doug Tobin said Beck was not the primary participant in that incident.
She is a real estate agent with USA Realty of Tampa Bay, according to sheriff's reports. A co-worker contacted Tuesday was surprised by news of her arrest.
"I work with the woman," Gary Kortz said. "I know she wouldn't do something like that."
Tobin said Kessler took meticulous notes, including first names and phone numbers for 225 clients. Arrests of clients is a possibility, Tobin said, but he did not expect additional arrests involving workers at the house.
Barbara Beck was being held at the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $10,000 bail Tuesday afternoon. Richard Beck's and Kessler's bail has been set at $110,000.
