EDWARDSVILLE – Exo Lounge nail bar issued a statement on social media on May 25, saying that it doesn’t launder money or traffic in children.
Edwardsville Police Chief Jay Keeven was quoted in its Facebook post as stating, “At the request of Exo Lounge and Nail Bar, we can confirm that there are no investigations of any kind involving Exo.”
But on May 27, Keeven denied making that statement.
“The Edwardsville police department has no open investigation, and I am unaware of any other investigation,” Keeven said.
“I can’t say there isn’t any other investigation because I don’t know that.”
Attorney David Fahrenkamp of Edwardsville, counsel to Exo Lounge owner Gina Gamblin, said he wouldn’t respond to the chief’s comments until he has talked to Gamblin.
Exo Lounge’s May 25 post also stated, “We can also confirm that our attorney has made personal contact with federal law enforcement to confirm that there are not, nor have there ever been any investigations involving our organization.
“He reported that the rumors have no basis and that they were the products of an active cyber smear campaign.”
The federal law enforcement source was not identified.
Assistant U.S. attorney Nathan Stump, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft, did not respond to a request for comment.
Public comments about trafficking surfaced after Exo Lounge made this post on its Facebook page May 20:
“THE RUMORS ARE TRUE... We know you've heard some interesting stories about EXO lately, and we do want to confirm that a unicorn was found on site, knowledge was exchanged, and we are now pleased to offer our very own Unicorn Frappe!
“Yep - The FBI has been tracking this for a while. Finally, the cat (or unicorn) is out of the bag... and she is delicious. Come down and see why the law, entertainers, and the like can't get enough of our wicked coffee game!
“Psst.. We may or may not be updating our hours of operation to cater to the early risers.. Let us know what you hear.”
One reader posted this in reaction::
“It's really weird that all the comments addressing the real rumor keep getting deleted.
“It's also really distasteful to be making this joke when the allegations are sex trafficking. If you were actually offended by the 'rumors' why are you trying to joke about it. It's a very serious topic/ allegation, especially when servicing a very high number of young women not to mention every other woman, or child.
“Maybe they are just rumors, who knows, but this is a very GROSS and OFFENSIVE way to address a concern of your customers.”
Exo Lounge, located at No. 2 157 Center, says that it enhances the local economy as a destination attraction.