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South San Francisco Husband & Wife Charged With Operating Brothels

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) -- Authorities say a South San Francisco man and his wife have been charged with bringing women from the East Coast to a circuit of brothels across Northern California.

San Mateo County prosecutors say 49-year-old Zhi Liu did not enter a plea to multiple charges of pimping, human trafficking and pandering during a court appearance Monday because there was no Mandarin interpreter.

South San Francisco Husband & Wife Charged With Operating Brothels

Authorities are looking for Liu's wife, 51-year-old Wei Guo, who is a fugitive.

Liu was arrested Thursday following a five-month investigation that included federal and state officials.

Liu, who went by the name Bob, is accused of operating a brothel from a San Bruno apartment before moving it to South San Francisco.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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