The owner of two of D.C.'s most popular music venues asked a massage therapist to perform sex acts for money, according to Montgomery County police.
Seth Hurwitz, 60, of Bethesda, Maryland, is charged with solicitation of prostitution. Hurwitz owns 9:30 Club and The Anthem and is chairman of I.M.P., a concert promotion and production company that books Merriweather Post Pavilion and Lincoln Theatre.
The victim told detectives Hurwitz made inappropriate sexual comments and motions during a massage at her workplace Thursday afternoon and implied she would get a bigger tip for performing sexual acts, police said. She said he also left a roll of cash in view on the floor of the massage room.
Hurwitz twice asked the victim if she would go to his home to give him a massage in the future and she declined, police said. She told detectives she ended the massage 10 minutes early because of his behavior.
Hurwitz texted the massage therapist later that day and again Friday, police said.
The victim reported him to police Friday, and in a phone call and series of texts witnessed by detectives, Hurwitz offered her cash for sexual acts, police said. He made an appointment for Wednesday morning and was arrested when he showed up at the business. Police said he was carrying 10 $100 bills outside of his wallet.
During his contact with the victim, Hurwitz mentioned having similar arrangements with other women, police said, so detectives are looking for other possible victims.
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Hurwitz's attorney said Thursday it was still too early to comment on the allegation. "The facts will come out in due course," the attorney said in a statement. "In the meantime, we ask that you give consideration to Seth and his family. Seth is presumed innocent under our laws. We look forward to a prompt resolution of this case."
In a message to employees, Hurwitz apologized for "any embarassment & stress" this might be causing them. Hurwitz's message, which a spokeswoman shared with News4, also asked employees not to pass judgment until the case is resolved.
