On November 19, 2020, the Florida Department of Health ordered the emergency restriction of the massage therapy license of Massage Envy - Bradenton's massage therapist, Sean Thomas Mooney, 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 46-year old female client. Mooney was also arrested for battery on his client. The sexual assault is alleged to have occurred at the Massage Envy located in Bradenton, Florida. Sean Mooney, age 43, has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since September 2019.
On September 20, 2020, Mooney performed a massage on his client who requested that he focus on her neck, shoulders and bac. According to the Emergency Order and police report, Mooney massaged her left inner thigh and quad area and incrementally moved his hand closer to her vagina. His thumb reportedly touched her vagina several times. She froze and clenched her mouth shut unsure if it was accidental or being done on purpose. The Order states he then moved to her right inner thigh and quad area, and against touched her vaginal area several times. The patient reportedly interrupted Sean Mooney and asked him to focus on her problem areas. Later in the massage, Mooney is alleged to have lowered the sheet to expose the client's breasts. He allegedly massaged between her breasts and touched the side of both of her breasts. The client again interrupted Mr. Mooney and readjusted the sheet to cover her breasts. Mr. Mooney then concluded the massage without speaking.
On September 29, 2020, a Bradenton Police Department detective interview the client, and she reported her breasts and vaginal area had been touched during the massage by Sean Mooney. On October 1, 2020, a Bradenton Police Department office interviewed Mooney about his massage with the patient. Mooney agreed to submit to a polygraph test. According to law enforcement records, Mooney failed the polygraph and later admitted during a audio/video recorded interview to having touched the client's breasts and removing the sheet to completely expose the client's breasts. He admitted that he knew his actions were wrong. He also said he might have touched the client's vagina but not completely admit to doing so. Massage Envy terminated Sean Mooney's employment. On October 7, 2020, Sean Mooney was criminally charged with battery. Massage Envy's manager confirmed to law enforcement that Mooney's techniques during his session with the alleged victim were not proper procedure.
When clients schedule 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.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were inappropriately touched at Massage Envy franchises and other spas and resorts. 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 send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz for massage clients at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.