CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte woman said she went for a massage but the experience left her stunned and frightened. She claims a therapist inappropriately touched her several times.
The woman didn’t want to be identified but told Channel 9′s Allison Latos about what she claims happened inside Zen Massage on East Boulevard in May.
“I felt powerless in the moment,” she said.
During her session, she claims the therapist Michael Cuthbertson touched her genital area multiple times.
“Don’t talk, don’t move, don’t breath, I told myself over and over, and I froze,” the woman said. “That third time, I thought to myself, ‘This isn’t a mistake.’ I thought, ‘He is all pro, he knows what he is doing.’”
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She claims out of fear, she didn’t speak up and admits she tipped him, but later went to police and the magistrate, pursuing a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery against Cuthbertson.
Latos went to Zen Massage on Friday, but the owner didn’t want to comment.
Cuthbertson did speak to Latos by phone defending his reputation, but decided Friday he did not want the interview to air.
Channel 9 found Cuthbertson has been licensed in North Carolina since 2010, but his future status will be the focus of a hearing this month.
The North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy sent Cuthbertson a proposed consent order under which his license would be revoked and he would pay a $1,000 penalty.
Channel 9 will let you know what happens after his hearing on Oct. 21.
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