LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland therapist who was arrested in September over allegations of sexual misconduct with patients is facing new charges Wednesday as additional victims have come forward, investigators said.
Psychotherapist Anthony H. Conti Jr., 71, is accused of inappropriately touching patients and telling them it was a necessary part of their therapy, the Lakeland Police Department said.
The investigation started on Sept. 12, when a 29-year-old woman said the therapist had groped her breasts and put his hand down her pants to address her “glands.”
A second victim came forward on Sept. 20 with similar allegations, police said.
The 39-year-old woman told investigators that she had been seeing Conti since December and he had been talking to her for months about “eastern medicine therapy and neurotransmitter releases that can be done.”
During a Sept. 15 session, Conti had the woman lie on the couch and started rubbing her stomach under her shirt, the LPD said.
Four More Victims Come Forward in Conti Jr Case UPDATE on Case On September 12, 2016, the Lakeland Police Department...
Posted by LakelandPD on Wednesday, October 19, 2016
“He then proceeded to slide his hand underneath her pants and her underwear,” the LPD said in a news release. “The victim stated she felt embarrassed and froze.”
Working with undercover detectives, the victims met with Conti again on Sept. 27.
“During this visit, the victim asked Conti about him touching her during the previous therapy,” the LPD release said. “Conti advised he does this because he is trying to restart the body and he referenced touching the butt, breasts and vagina.”
Conti was arrested shortly after the session ended and was charged with two counts of a psychotherapist engaging in sex with a client.
He was charged with three more counts of attempted psychotherapist engaging in sex with a client after the accusations of the new victims.
LPD investigators believe that there could be more victims in the case and ask anyone with information to contact the department at 863-834-8977. All victims’ identities will remain confidential, LPD said.
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