In 1996, Equality Now, a human rights and feminist group, lobbied the local District Attorney to take action against the company, complaining about promotion of prostitution and possible exploitation of minors.
Supported by Gloria Steinem and Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Equality Now then contacted Attorney General of New York Eliot Spitzer in 2002.
[4] Spitzer filed a civil suit against Big Apple Oriental Tours and obtained a restraining order in July 2003, in effect preventing the company from advertising.
[4] Spitzer then made two unsuccessful attempts to charge owners Norman Barabash and Douglas Allen with promoting prostitution.
The case was dismissed in August 2004, because the grand jury had been presented with hearsay evidence and because the judge did not find the law applicable.