Australian couple Michael and Lynley Le Grand were arrested in Bali this week after a police raid targeted illegal prostitution activities. The couple, who have lived in Bali for many years, were taken into custody after the police raided their business, the Pink Palace spa, located in Kuta.
Michael Le Grand, 50, and Lynley Le Grand, 44, were paraded in front of the media on Friday, wearing orange prison shirts, along with eight others arrested during the operation. The Bali police allege that the spa was offering sex services alongside its massage offerings, with items such as lingerie, condoms, and massage oil seized as evidence during the raid.
In addition to the prostitution charges, police have raised concerns about child protection, as one of the spa’s employees was reportedly 17 years old. Authorities are investigating whether the Le Grands can be prosecuted under Indonesia’s child protection laws.
Prostitution is illegal in Indonesia, and police are considering prosecuting the couple under the country’s anti-pornography law, which carries a prison sentence ranging from six months to 12 years.
The couple, who own several businesses in Bali, including the popular The Corner cafe and The Goat pub in Seminyak, have long-term residency on the island. According to Bali police, the Pink Palace was generating between $95,000 and $285,000 annually. The venue allegedly offered massage services with various “sensations” priced between 1 million to 2.5 million rupiah ($95 to $236).
Lynley Le Grand, a survivor of the 2002 Bali bombings, has made Bali her home since the attacks, where she raised her children. Staff at the couple’s other businesses, The Corner and The Goat pub, were reportedly unaware of the ongoing investigation.
In 2022, Michael Le Grand had been arrested and released after a police investigation into illegal gambling at The Goat pub.
As of now, a lawyer for the couple has not been reached for comment.