Massage therapist Sebastian Fomenko, who last worked at the Lapis Spa in the Fountainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach, has been arrested on a sexual battery charge. It is alleged that on December 31, 2017 he inserted one or two fingers into his 25-year old client's vagina during a massage appointment at the Lapis Spa. According to the alleged victim, he also exposed her buttocks and rubbed her breasts with oil without her consent. The client immediately reported the incident to her family and then to the Miami Beach Police Department.
When questioned by police, Mr. Fomenko reportedly admitted to touching the client's breasts and inserting his fingers into her vagina. A nurse examined the client and observed physical signs indicative of digital penetration. On account of this incident, the Florida Department of Health issued an Emergency Order prohibiting Sebastian Fomenko from practicing massage therapy on female clients.
According to the Department of Health, prior to the December 31, 2017 incident, another female client previously reported to the Lapis Spa staff that Mr. Fomenko rubbed his erect penis against her body. This incident was not reported to law enforcement or to the Florida Department of Health. Instead, Lapis Spa continued to employ Mr. Fomenko. According to the Department of Health, Sebastian Fomenko has been licensed since August 2009.
Clients 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. This is a sad reminder that even at luxury location such as Lapis Spa in the famed Fountainbelau Hotel incidents like this can and do occur,
If you have a 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 (954) 641-2100 or send an email to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com