Suit Against Massage Envy Accuses Local Therapist Of Sexual Misconduct
By Mae Rice in News on Dec 2, 2016 5:29PM
A massage therapist at a Chicagoland Massage Envy inappropriately touched a female client, according to a civil lawsuit filed to Cook County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit describes an August massage at Massage Envy's Tinley Park location, in which a male massage therapist touched the client in an unwanted and sexual manner during her appointment. Afterwards, the therapist made comments to her suggesting he knew the touching wasn't wanted, according to the suit.
The client reported the incident to police and Massage Envy management, but no criminal charges were filed and she was denied updates on Massage Envy's internal investigation.
Massage Envy is one of the most prominent massage franchises in the country, with locations in 49 states and eight locations in Chicagoland alone.
The suit accuses Massage Envy of negligence and seeks $50,000 in damages.
The therapist no longer works at the Tinley Park location, ABC7 reports.
Update, 12:55 p.m.:
Massage Envy had the following to say, in a statement sent to Chicagoist:
"Nothing is more important to Massage Envy Franchising, LLC, its brand, and its franchise community than the wellbeing of its franchisees’ members and guests. The policies we hold our franchisees to are among the most stringent in the industry and promote the safety and comfort of the franchisees’ clients while receiving professional services. Massage Envy Franchising, LLC has a strict Zero Tolerance Policy that addresses various types of inappropriate conduct, including making clear that such conduct is impermissible and will not be tolerated. We require franchisees to conduct a thorough investigation of any allegation and, should a therapist employed by a franchisee violate our Zero Tolerance Policy, the franchisee is required to terminate the therapist and restrict them from employment at any Massage Envy franchised location."