Massage therapist Michael Anich surrendered his license to practice massage therapy in Florida, which was accepted and adjudged as a discipline on October 8, 2025, by the Board of Massage Therapy. This Final Order to relinquish his license was made to avoid disciplinary action brought by the Florida Department of Health after a report was made alleging sexual misconduct during a massage Anich performed while working at Opal Sands Resort & Spa, which also led to Anich's arrest. Surrendering his license prohibits any further administrative action regarding this case. Anich had been licensed as a massage therapist in Florida since March 2023.
According to the investigative report in the Final Order, a complaint was made on November 28, 2023, stating Anich sexually assaulted a 22-year-old female client during a 90-minute massage when working at Opal Sands Resort and Spa. The arrest records noted that the female client received a gift card to the resort's spa and had an appointment on 11/28/23 at 3 pm with Anich. Around the 60-minute mark, Anich told the client she could lie face up for the remainder of the session. Anich placed his hands on her spine, causing the sheet to fall and expose her breasts. Anich hovered over her breasts with his mouth open and blowing hot air on her nipples to the point of his lips touching them. The client stated that Anich kept telling her how sexy she was while blowing. The victim tried wiggling the sheet back on her because she felt uncomfortable, but couldn't see with the mask covering her eyes. Anich then moved to the client's left side, exposing her legs and waist. Anich moved the client's underwear with his hand to the side and penetrated her anus and vagina with two fingers simultaneously. The client tried to close her legs, but she felt Anich's head there, breathing hot air on her legs. She reported he was still telling her how sexy she was while moaning as he penetrated her. Anich then told the victim their time was up and that "it felt good touching you." Anich handed his business card to the female, with his personal cell number handwritten on it.
At that time, Anich provided a buccal swab, and it was later discovered that the DNA profile found on the victim's external genital, mons pubis and left nipple matched Anich's DNA. Anich was arrested on May 1, 2024, in Hillsborough County, FL, on an out-of-county warrant from Pinellas County, FL, for felony sexual battery (794.011 (5)(b), F.S.).
This is just one of the many disturbing trends of sexual misconduct by massage therapists statewide. Under Florida law, massage therapists occupy positions of trust, and all sexual activity between the massage therapist and clients is strictly prohibited. Anich violated the massage therapist-patient relationship. A massage therapist may not use his relationship with a client to induce or attempt to induce the patient to engage or to engage or attempt to engage the patient in sexual activity outside the scope of practice or the scope of generally accepted examination or treatment of the patient.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists for clients who were inappropriately touched at various massage salons and spas. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery during a massage, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or email sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for a free consultation.