Massage Envy Therapist Accused Of Sex With 2 Monmouth Clients: AG

NEWARK, NJ – A massage therapist who worked for Massage Envy has been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct with two women who were his clients, one of at the Freehold spa, state officials said Thursday,

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs are seeking to revoke the massage therapy license of Steven A. Segovia, Grewal's office said. The alleged incidents — one at the Freehold spa, one at the Manalapan location — took place in 2013, authorities said.

Segovia currently works as a physical therapist assistant at Sunnyside Manor in Wall, Grewal's office said.

At the Freehold location, the 52-year-old woman had seen Segovia for deep tissue massages on several occasions until September 2013, when Segovia allegedly pushed her underwear to one side with his fingers and penetrated her vagina with his penis while she was lying on her stomach, according to the complaint. He then allegedly whispered into the woman’s ear "This will be our little secret, okay?" the complaint said. The woman stopped her massage sessions after that, according to the complaint.

Segovia allegedly also told the woman that she could receive a massage from him in his home and pay him privately, the complaint said.

At the Manalapan location, Segovia is accused of performing oral sex on another 52-year-old woman at the end of a massage session in October 2013, and of sticking his finger in her vagina during a previous session, stopping only after the woman asked him what he was doing. Segovia allegedly said, “I’m sorry. I misread you. I’ll never do it again," according to the complaint.

The state's complaint alleges Segovia admitted to sexually touching and performing oral sex on the Manalapan spa client, but does not say whether he admitted or denied the allegations from the Freehold spa client.

In November 2017, Buzzfeed reported that more than 180 women had accused massage therapists at Massage Envy of sexual assault. BuzzFeed cited court records, police reports and other complaints from women who reported being groped and penetrated by massage therapists at Massage Envy locations across the country. There are 49 Massage Envy locations in New Jersey. (READ MORE: Sex Misconduct At Massage Chain That Has 49 NJ Sites, Report Says)

It is unclear whether Segovia is facing criminal charges in connection with either complaint. Patch is seeking clarification on that and will update as soon as the information is available.

"Massage therapists cannot, under any circumstances, engage in sexual contact with their clients. It is a clear violation of professional boundaries and an abuse of client trust," Grewal said. "Massage therapists who breach this fundamental rule, as this one allegedly did, face serious consequences for their actions."

"Instead of treating clients with the dignity and respect they deserve, Steven Segovia allegedly treated them like easy prey to be used for his personal satisfaction," said Paul Rodríguez, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. "We have zero tolerance for this kind of depraved behavior."

Authorities urge anyone else who was subjected to inappropriate sexual contact from Segovia, or any other licensed massage therapist, to immediately report the matter to the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.

The state seeks to revoke Segovia’s license on grounds of gross negligence that endangers the public; professional misconduct, and failure to comply with regulations prohibiting licensed massage therapists from engaging in sexual contact with clients. Investigators with Division of Consumer Affairs enforcement bureau conducted the investigation.

Patients who believe that they have been treated by a licensed health care professional in an inappropriate manner can file an online complaint with the state Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

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Image via New Jersey Attorney General's Office