The license of a Snohomish County massage practitioner was suspended by the state after he was charged with second-degree rape.
Benjamin A. Fesler touched a client’s breast with his hands, and mouth in a sexual manner and used his fingers to rape her while making inappropriate remarks, according to Kirkland police.
“The defendant abused his position of trust as a health care provider and assaulted this victim when she was most vulnerable,” Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Carol Spoor wrote in charging documents.
The alleged attack happened Oct. 23 when Fesler was working at the Massage Envy in Kirkland. The victim told police “it felt like she was in a nightmare where she was unable to run away.”
The criminal charge led state health officials to issue sexual misconduct charges against his license and order the immediate suspension. Fesler pleaded not guilty in December, and his trial is scheduled for early May.
Fesler wasn’t home when KIRO 7 tried to reach him Wednesday afternoon, but a neighbor said there was “no way” Fesler could have done what he’s accused of. After seeing the charging documents and health department information, the neighbor, Becky Ellman, said the accuser must be lying.
Fesler can’t practice in Washington until the charges are resolved. He has 20 days to respond to the charges and to ask for a hearing, according to the state health department.
Massage Envy told KIRO "we sympathize with the guest involved" and "we have a Zero Tolerance Policy against inappropriate conduct." Here is the full text of the Massage Envy statement:
Massage Envy Spa and our Kirkland franchisee were horrified to learn of these allegations, and we sympathize with the guest involved.
We have a Zero Tolerance Policy against inappropriate conduct. Each franchisee, including the Kirkland owner, is required to conduct criminal background and reference checks prior to hiring and are instructed that all licensed massage therapists must complete training prior to employment, which specifically covers our zero tolerance policy on inappropriate conduct; all of which was completed correctly in this case. In addition, the Kirkland owner notified local law enforcement immediately upon learning of the allegations and has cooperated fully during their investigation.
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