Massage therapist accused of secretly recording client undressing - WLS-TV

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CHICAGO (WLS) --

The I-Team is investigating a massage therapist accused of secretly videotaping a pregnant client.
A Chicago woman said she was appalled after finding a hidden camera recording her as she began to undress for her massage. That woman told the I-Team she is concerned the massage therapist may have used the hidden camera on other clients.

Myron Osborne as hid from the I-Team after his court appearance Monday. The 32-year-old is charged with illegally videotaping Natalie Martinez at a West Loop Massage Envy on January 22. He has pleaded not guilty.

"I had just found out I was expecting, actually the night before, so the appointment was already made," Martinez said.

Martinez said she told the receptionist she was newly pregnant and was still hoping to get a massage.

"They explained the individual or therapist I was scheduled with was a prenatal specialist so everything would be fine," Martinez said.

But Martinez said everything wasn't fine.

"So, he leaves the room and I start to get undressed and out of the corner of my eye I see a little silver metal piece. So I went to investigate it and behind some pillows I found a cell phone. So I picked up the phone, I do see it's time stamped, the time is rolling, there is a red button, so I pressed stop," Martinez said.
Martinez said she put the phone in her bag, got dressed, left the room and asked for a manager. She said she was told there was no manager onsite but the "team leader" could help her.

"She turns to the therapist and said she would like to see him in the office. At this point the camera is still in her hand...and I was left there by myself. I called police," Martinez said.

After police questioned Osborne, officers told Martinez there was no footage on the phone. Martinez says she believes Osborne or his co-worker deleted it.

"Unfortunately, they told me because there was no real evidence, there wasn't much they could do, they couldn't arrest him that day," Martinez said.

Chicago police detectives told the I-Team they investigated further and in early March, Osborne was arrested and charged with a felony.

Bob Milan is the former first assistant state's attorney for Cook County. He says investigators have several techniques to recover evidence.

"They can go back and find a timeline, actually find out was the phone in use at the time this was being taped. If it was streamlined out, they can trace the streamlined video tape to wherever it was sent, or whatever apps were being used at that time," Milan said.

According to state records, the owners of the West Loop Massage Envy also run several franchises in the suburbs, including one in Naperville where a woman said she was inappropriately touched by her massage therapist. The therapist in that case pleaded guilty to battery and was sentenced to court supervision.

Massage Envy turned down the I-Team's request for an on-camera interview but said it has a "zero tolerance policy" that includes a "no mobile device policy in our treatment rooms." The company says Osborne is no longer employed there.

"I wouldn't be surprised if when the police analyze that phone they find other videotapes of other women," Milan said.

Martinez said she is disappointed with how Massage Envy treated her.

"I expect that it would be handled properly. Clearly it wasn't handled properly," Martinez said.

Massage Envy said it cancelled Martinez's membership and refunded all of her dues after the date of the incident. Martinez said she hasn't received something else she wanted: an apology. Osborne will be back in court late next month.


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