Horowitz Law has filed a lawsuit against Massage Envy Country Walk in Miami, Florida, on behalf of a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by massage therapist Jorge Luis Lugo Rivero during a scheduled massage appointment.
Attorneys Adam Horowitz and DeeDee Scheller of Horowitz Law filed the lawsuit in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court on November 12, 2026. The Defendant is M E Countrywalk, LLC, doing business as Massage Envy, which operates the Massage Envy Country Walk location at 13721 SW 152nd Street in Miami, Florida.
The complaint alleges that the Massage Envy County Walk negligently hired, retained, trained and supervised massage therapist Jorge Luis Lugo Rivero, who allegedly sexually assaulted the plaintiff during a February 24, 2025, massage session.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages and a jury trial.
Sexual Assault Allegations Against Massage Envy Therapist Jorge Lugo Rivero
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff had been a Massage Envy member for approximately three years and regularly visited the spa for massage therapy to alleviate stress and chronic back pain.
On February 24, 2025, she arrived at Massage Envy Country Walk for a scheduled 90-minute massage with Jorge Lugo Rivero.
The complaint describes the following alleged misconduct:
- Near the end of the massage, Lugo Rivero moved the woman's leg toward the side of the massage table and began touching her inner thigh and groin area beneath the draping.
- He allegedly placed his hand underneath her underwear and touched her genital area without consent.
- The woman attempted to move his hand away, but the unwanted touching allegedly continued.
- The complaint further alleges that Lugo Rivero pressed his other hand against her shoulder, restricting her ability to resist.
- The woman verbally demanded that he stop.
According to the lawsuit, the woman reported the alleged sexual assault to Massage Envy management immediately after the appointment. She also contacted law enforcement and the Florida Department of Health.
Massage Envy Therapist Jorge Lugo Rivero Arrested Following Sexual Assault Allegations
In December 2025, Jorge Lugo Rivero was arrested following an investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct at Massage Envy Country Walk.
He was charged with misdemeanor battery in connection with the February 24, 2025 incident.
In May 2026, Lugo Rivero entered a plea agreement in the criminal case. The court withheld adjudication, placed him on one year of probation, ordered him to have no contact with the alleged victim, and required him to surrender his massage therapy license.
The criminal proceedings are separate from the civil lawsuit filed against Massage Envy Country Walk.
Miami Lawsuit Alleges Massage Envy Failed to Protect Client From Sexual Assault
The lawsuit filed by Horowitz Law seeks to hold Massage Envy Country Walk accountable for its alleged failure to protect customers from sexual misconduct by massage therapists.
The complaint asserts five causes of action against M E Countrywalk, LLC:
- Negligent hiring: The lawsuit alleges that Massage Envy failed to exercise reasonable care in hiring Jorge Lugo Rivero.
- Negligent retention: The complaint alleges that Massage Envy retained Lugo Rivero despite information it knew or should have known concerning his fitness to provide massage therapy services.
- Negligent supervision: The lawsuit alleges that Massage Envy failed to adequately supervise Lugo Rivero and ensure compliance with professional boundaries, draping requirements, and appropriate massage therapy practices.
- Negligence involving policies, procedures, and training: The complaint alleges that Massage Envy failed to implement adequate safeguards, employee training, and procedures designed to prevent sexual misconduct.
- Vicarious liability: The lawsuit also seeks to hold the franchise legally responsible for Lugo Rivero's alleged misconduct in connection with his employment.
These allegations remain subject to proof in the civil proceedings.
Lawsuit Raises Questions About Massage Envy's Sexual Misconduct Reporting Procedures
An additional issue raised in the lawsuit concerns Massage Envy's internal procedures for addressing complaints of inappropriate sexual touching.
According to the complaint, Massage Envy's employee manual contains an "Inappropriate Touch Procedure" directing employees to document complaints and notify management and corporate representatives.
However, the lawsuit alleges that these procedures do not require employees to report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement or the Florida Department of Health.
The complaint raises questions about whether the franchise maintained adequate policies and procedures to protect clients, investigate complaints, and respond appropriately to allegations of sexual misconduct.
Florida Law Prohibits Sexual Misconduct by Massage Therapists
Florida law expressly prohibits sexual misconduct in the practice of massage therapy.
Florida Statute § 480.0485 recognizes that the massage therapist-client relationship is founded on mutual trust and prohibits sexual misconduct by massage therapists.
Clients receiving massage therapy are often partially undressed, physically vulnerable, and alone with a therapist in a private treatment room. Massage establishments and their employees are expected to maintain professional boundaries and provide services in a safe environment.
When a massage therapist allegedly engages in sexual misconduct, questions may arise concerning not only the therapist's individual conduct but also the responsibility of the business that hired, trained, retained, and supervised that employee.
Depending on the facts, victims of sexual misconduct during massage appointments may have civil claims against the individual therapist, the massage establishment, or other responsible parties.
Horowitz Law Represents Victims of Massage Envy Sexual Assault
Horowitz Law represents the plaintiff in the sexual assault lawsuit against Massage Envy Country Walk in Miami.
The firm focuses its practice on representing survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault, including cases involving massage therapists, spas, medical providers, and institutions that allegedly failed to protect individuals from sexual misconduct.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous lawsuits involving alleged sexual misconduct at Massage Envy locations in Florida and other states. The firm's attorneys investigate potential claims involving negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, inadequate safety procedures, and institutional responsibility for sexual assault.
Contact a Miami Massage Envy Sexual Assault Lawyer
If you experienced inappropriate sexual touching or sexual assault during a massage appointment involving Jorge Lugo Rivero, Massage Envy Country Walk, or another Massage Envy location, Horowitz Law can evaluate your potential legal rights.
Sexual assault during a massage is not an acceptable part of treatment, and victims may have grounds to pursue civil claims against those legally responsible.
Contact sexual abuse attorney Adam Horowitz and Horowitz Law at (888) 283-9922 for a free, confidential consultation.
Horowitz Law represents survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault throughout Florida and nationwide.