Massachusetts Massage Parlor Faces Lawsuit Over Employee Charged With Rape

January 10, 2023

A woman has filed a lawsuit against a massage business in Medford, Massachusetts. This suit alleges an assault by a state-licensed massage therapist. The plaintiff in the case stated that a client is very vulnerable while naked and alone in a room with one other person. In her case, the woman knew something was wrong quickly after the massage therapist entered the room. 

The behavior of the massage therapist scared her, but she felt too afraid to fight. As a result, she lay there until the hour finished. On the way out, the plaintiff approached the front desk to inform them what happened but instead saw the massage therapist at the desk.

In the days following her visit, the plaintiff contacted the massage business. She left a voicemail and completed an email survey where she informed them about the massage therapist’s inappropriate behavior that made her uncomfortable.

The business responded to the plaintiff’s initial complaints with advice that she should have stopped the session or said something to the service provider if she felt uncomfortable. In this trail of correspondents, she stated when she first reported the incident. In addition, she admitted that she still had to process the experience. The plaintiff claimed the therapist had sexual intentions, which she found extraordinarily inappropriate and unprofessional.

On the same day that the plaintiff sent this email, another woman accused the same massage therapist of rape on the massage table. It remains unknown if the massage business read the plaintiff’s email before the alleged rape occurred. However, over a week later, they contacted the plaintiff and apologized for the delayed response. They claimed no intention of ignoring her; they were deciding how to respond and said they had filed a report with the police. The business told the plaintiff they take such things seriously and apologized if she felt ignored. 

The massage therapist in question also faced accusations of sexually assaulting and harassing a woman employed by a cleaning company he owned. As such, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ordered him to pay $165,000. Though he also received criminal charges, the prosecution did not continue with the case. 

The massage therapist did have to pass a criminal and sex offender background check to become a massage therapist. However, the state required him to disclose his previous criminal charge to receive the license. 

Though indicted for rape after the woman’s claim, the therapist claimed innocence. Regardless, he no longer works at that business. Despite this, the company will still face lawsuits. Additionally, it remains unknown when the company terminated him and whether he will continue the practice until his license expires.

This case shows how important it is for businesses to partner with a trusted background check company. The right provider will perform a thorough background screening of all new and current employees to ensure safe hiring. Furthermore, they would detect red flags quickly, ensuring employers make educated hiring decisions and avoid potential liability.

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