Massage Envy suit: 6 women allege sexual assaults - AL.com

[massage]

The nation's largest massage franchise is being sued by women who said they were sexually assaulted during massages.

Six California women are suing Massage Envy, including at least one who was a client of 28-year-old Brandon James Davis, a former massage therapist who last month was charged with more than a dozen counts of sexual battery related to his on-the-job conduct, EastBayTimes reported.

Davis is currently being held in the San Mateo County, California jail on $250,000 bail related to six felony counts of sexual battery by fraud and seven misdemeanor counts of battery involving 13 victims.

"This is happening everywhere," attorney Bobby Thompson told The Times. "This company is more concerned about its brand than it is about customer safety."

The lawsuit accused Massage Envy of negligence, premises liability, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual battery, gender violence, and fraud. The suit also alleges the chain does not require its franchisees to report sexual assault accusations to law enforcement or state boards and worked to conceal complaints, an "incomprehensible" policy designed to "protect the brand."

Last year, a BuzzFeed investigative report showed more than 180 people had sued Massage Envy for various sexual-assault charges, alleging their complaints were ignored and no warnings were issued to future potential victims.
Scottsdale, Arizona-based Massage Envy said while it can't comment on active litigation, the company remains "focused on our Commitment to Safety plan, which is further strengthening our existing policies. Safety is and will always be our priority and we will never stop working on it."

You can read the lawsuit here. Warning: Graphic language.

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