ALFRED — The landlord of the building in which Alexis Wright’s Zumba studio was located has filed a civil lawsuit in an effort to recover unpaid rent.

In the suit, filed Friday, Nov. 21, building owner T&B, Inc. alleges that Wright and Mark Strong breached their lease contract when they stopped paying rent or property tax contributions for the 8 York St. building space.

The landlord is seeking $67,800 in damages.

Both Wright and Strong were indicted in October on charges relating to an alleged prostitution operation out of Wright’s Pura Vida Zumba Studio, following a five-month investigation by police. Wright, of Wells, faces 106 counts involving alleged prostitution and violation of privacy, as well as 15 tax-related counts. Strong, of Thomaston, faces 59 misdemeanor counts, all involving prostitution, including violation of privacy, promoting prostitution, conspiracy to promote prostitution and conspiracy to commit violation of privacy.

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the landlord’s complaint, Wright and Strong entered into an agreement to lease the commercial space from T&B, Inc. from March 5, 2010 to March 5, 2015.

Their lease was terminated on July 26 due to non-payment, the complaint states, and per the lease itself, the renters are immediately liable for the entire unpaid rental and all other balances due for the remainder of the five-year term, according to the complaint.

The complaint is signed by Bee Nguyen, who is listed as the manager of T&B, Inc. The company is represented by attorney Matthew J. Williams of Hodsdon & Clifford LLC in Kennebunk.

The last payment received was $500 on July 6, the complaint states, and at the time, the renters were $1,425 in arrears. The amount owed for the remainder of the lease is nearly $50,000, while the renters’ 20 percent share of the property taxes is $7,396. Legal expenses are also being sought, bringing the total to $67,800.

Nguyen states in the complaint that she has not been able to lease the former Zumba studio, despite efforts to do so.

Police on Friday identified the first accused prostitution client who’s a woman. Police say she’s the wife of a man also charged in October with engaging a prostitute. The latest case brings the total to at least 65 people charged with engaging a prostitute.

Police Lt. Anthony Bean Burpee says fewer names are being released because suspects are dealing directly with the prosecutor, eliminating the need for a police summons.

— The Associated Press contributed to this story. Kristen Schulze Muszynski can be contacted at 282-1535 Ext. 322 or kristenm@journaltribune.com.