On November 18, 2024, the Florida Department of Health's Board of Massage Therapy issued a Final Order revoking the massage therapy license of Michael Francis Taylor, prohibiting his practice of massage therapy. The Order was entered in response to a sexual misconduct complaint by a female client that allegedly occurred during a massage he performed while working at Circles of Wellness Spa located at 955 Registry Blvd. in St. Augustine, Florida. In addition to the revocation of his license, Taylor was also fined $2500 by the Florida Department of Health.
Taylor had been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since May 2013. Prior to that, Taylor practiced ballroom dance. According to the Emergency Order, on June 11, 2022, Michael Francis Taylor was assigned to perform a 90-minute massage on a 31-year-old female client at Circles of Wellness Spa. About halfway through the massage, Taylor allegedly instructed the client to flip over on her back facing up. He began to massage her right leg and moved up her thigh. Taylor then allegedly slid his hand under the sheet that was covering the client's vaginal area and inserted one or more fingers into the client's vagina. Taylor then reportedly used his other hand to rub the outside of her vagina at the same time. In shock, the client firmly pressed her legs together and Taylor removed his hand off of her genitals but then moved one hand to the client's right breast. The client then firmly pulled up the sheet indicating she was uncomfortable. Taylor abruptly ended the massage.
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. 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 those circumstances, massage therapists must possess good judgment and moral character to safely practice massage therapy. Mr. Taylor is alleged to have willfully abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate a woman who trusted him to act professionally and within the boundaries of generally accepted massage therapy and treatment. Taylor's alleged violation of the massage therapist-patient relationship would indicate that he lacks the good moral character and judgment necessary to safely practice massage therapy. Therefore, he is prohibited to perform massage therapy in the state of Florida.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists on behalf of 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 at Circle of Wellness or any other location, 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.