Woman sues Massage Envy on claims she was touched inappropriately by worker

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — A woman is suing Massage Envy on allegations one of the chain’s massage therapists in Winter Garden touched her inappropriately.

It’s one of numerous cases across the country against therapists at the chains.

The woman, who Channel 9 is not identifying, said she went to the Massage Envy in Winter Garden because she had knots in her neck and upper back.

The woman said she disrobed and was under the cover for her 90-minute massage, but in the last five minutes, the massage therapist crossed the line.

“At this point, he’s getting closer and I’m getting more uncomfortable. He went under my left buttock side, and he reached under and up into my vagina,” she said. “I just froze. That was my body’s reaction. To freeze.”

When she got home, she told her husband about the incident and called police.

Police and the state attorney’s office are in an ongoing investigation.

The massage therapist has not been charged with a crime.

According to the lawsuit, Massage Envy’s policy if a customer says they’ve been touched inappropriately is to investigate and take action.

But the woman claims that policy did not include Massage Envy staff contacting police.

The attorney who filed the suit is pursuing eight similar lawsuits at Massage Envy locations nationwide.

In at least four of those cases the massage therapist was arrested.

Massage Envy told Channel 9 the employee is no longer employed by the franchisee.

The company released a statement, saying “We strictly enforce our Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policy and impose serious consequences for those who violate them to ensure our guests have a safe and professional experience.”

WFTV