After Bellevue Massage Therapist in Newport Suspended, Owner Suspended for Trying to Cover It Up - GoLocalProv

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Monday, June 03, 2024

GoLocalProv News Team

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RIDOH has now suspended Seth Joslin, owner of Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks.

After the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) issued a summary suspension of a licensed massage therapist — after he reportedly “groped the breasts and tweaked the nipples” of a patient — RIDOH has now suspended the business owner for trying to cover it up.
As GoLocal previously reported:

“On or about April 25, 2024, RIDOH received notice that, during practicing massage therapy on or about April 18, 2024, Respondent [Patrick McGirr] groped the breast and tweaked the nipples of Patient A.

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That, at all times during which the incident described in the paragraph(s) above took place, Respondent was practicing massage therapy at Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks in Newport, Rhode Island.

After review of available evidence, the Director of Health has found reasonable cause to believe that Respondent is practicing in Violation of RI General Laws in this case, and finds that public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action."

This week, RIDOH summarily suspended Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks owner Seth Joslin for “discouraging [the victim] from reporting the incident to any third parties or authorities, by citing the negative impact it would have on Mr. McGirr’s personal relationships and upon Respondent’s business.”

“Respondent did not contact the Rhode Island Department of Health to report this incident of misconduct by a licenses massage therapist operating in his facility,” wrote RIDOH in its action under "findings of fact."

RIDOH also noted a previous sexual assault at the business.

“In November 2022, the Department investigated an allegation of sexual assault committed by an unlicensed massage therapist working at Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks while operated by the Respondent. The unlicensed massage therapist was later criminally charged with sexual assault,” wrote RIDOH.

Court records show that Kevin Joslin was arrested and charged with felony sexual assault over the alleged incident.

That case is still ongoing.

Latest at Bellevue Massage

When GoLocal inquired about McGirr's status following his suspension in May, Seth Joslin responded with the following message:

"Patrick was put on leave as soon as we heard about the allegations made against him. He is no longer working at Bellevue Massage anymore.

Patrick was one of our best therapist since 2018 or 2019 not sure of the exact date off the top of my head. We were shocked to hear someone making these allegations against him but to be fair to the person accusing him of this she does sound credible.

He had nothing but positive reviews before this incident.

Clients that have called asking about him we let them know he is no longer working at Bellevue Massage.

We are a highly rated massage therapy business and hope you don’t smear the business. This matter is being dealt with by the authorities. We took the matter serious as soon as we found out and took the appropriate actions. Look up our business on Google and Yelp and you will see we are very good at what we do. We do not condone this sort of behavior by our therapist and it was dealt with in a swift manner."

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