On March 31, 2022, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) ordered the Emergency Restriction of the license of Naples massage therapist, Daniel Lopez, prohibiting his practice of massage therapy on female clients in the State of Florida. The Emergency Order was entered in response to a sexual misconduct complaint by a female client that allegedly occurred during her spa appointment at a spa business in Naples has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since March 2015. He previously practiced in Boulder, Colorado according to public records.
According to the Order, a 24-year-old woman received a massage by Daniel Lopez on February 19, 2022. During the massage, the client claims that her draping slipped off and exposed her genitals. Lopez continued the massage without replacing the draping and touched her outer labia while rubbing her inner thigh. Lopez then reportedly placed one hand on her pelvic area and rubbed her clitoris with his fingers. According to the Order, the client immediately told him to stop and said she was not there for “that kind” of massage. Lopez allegedly apologized stating, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” The client reported the incident to law enforcement and said she did not give Lopez consent to expose and touch her vaginal area.
According to the Department of Health, Lopez willfully abused his position as a massage therapist by inappropriately touching and sexually violating a client who trusted him to act professionally and within the boundaries of generally accepted massage therapy and treatment.
The Order ensures he can no longer pose a danger to the public’s health, welfare, and safety, pending a final hearing by the Department. When clients book a massage, it is to decompress from the stresses of life. They trust that the massage therapists employed at the spa are carefully vetted and safe to engage with the public. It is unacceptable, immoral, and unlawful for any employee to touch a client in a sexual manner.