The Florida Department of Health issued an Emergency Order on July 25, 2018 restricting the massage therapy license of Nicolas Denis, Jr.. The Order states that Nicolas Denis, Jr. sexually assaulted a 21-year old female co-worker during a massage he was performing on her at Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Port Orange, Florida. The Order finds that Mr. Dennis is an “immediate, serious danger” to public health. As a result of the Order, Denis is prohibited from practicing massage therapy on female clients. According to public records, Mr. Denis lives in Palm Coast, Florida.
The Department of Health Order states that during a massage on May 22, 2018, Nicolas Denis pulled back the woman’s underwear and “ran his fingers across her vagina, and then placed one or more fingers inside her vagina.” The patient allegedly kicked at Mr. Denis and stated “No!”. As the patient exited the massage room, Dennis reportedly told her that what happened there needed to remain between them. Mr. Denis was terminated from his employment at Hand and Stone Spa on May 29, 2018.
Patients of massage therapists are placed in isolated, vulnerable settings where they can be subject to abuse by their massage therapists. Due to the potential for abuse that is inherent under these circumstances, massage therapists must possess good judgment and good moral character in order to safely practice massage therapy.
Our law firm has represented dozen of clients who have been sexually assaulted by a massage therapist, in locations ranging from large national chains (such as Massage Envy, Hand & Stone, Massage Green, Massage LuXe, Elements Massage and Massage Heights) to luxury hotel spas to smaller locally-owned spas. Sadly, the perpetrators of these assaults may be repeat offenders and prey on the vulnerability of their clients. If you have a been a victim of sexual assault in a spa or during a massage, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at (954) 641-2100 or send an email to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at [email protected]