Health officials suspend license of Newport massage business owner - Turn to 10

[massage]

(WJAR) — Health authorities suspend the massage therapy license of a Newport massage business owner.

The Rhode Island Department of Health issued a summary suspension of Seth Joslin’s massage therapist license.

Joslin is the owner of Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks.

Health officials, in the suspension notice, claim Joslin tried to discourage a woman from reporting an alleged assault by an employee at the business to authorities.

In May, the Department of Health suspended the massage therapist license of Patrick McGirr after a woman accused him of groping her breasts during massage therapy in April at Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks.

McGirr is charged with second degree sexual assault.

In Joslin’s suspension notice, health officials claim the woman called Joslin the day after to report the alleged incident but Joslin discouraged her from reporting the incident to anyone else, “by citing the negative impact it would have on Mr. McGirr’s personal relationships and upon Respondent’s business.”

Health authorities also claim Joslin did not report the incident to them.

The DOH also notes in November 2022 it investigated an alleged sexual assault by an unlicensed massage therapist working at Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks.

That worker, Seth Joslin’s brother, Kevin Joslin, was charged with sexual assault.

Health authorities, in suspending Seth Joslin’s license, write they found reasonable cause to believe he has failed to “conduct his business and professional activities with honesty and integrity” and has failed to “provide a physical setting that is safe.”

Seth Joslin, in a lengthy phone conversation with NBC 10 Monday said he didn’t know he had to notify the Department of Health of the allegation against McGirr.

He claimed the woman who called with the allegation told him she had contacted police and Joslin says he thought police would handle it.

Joslin claimed to NBC 10 if he had known he had to report the allegation, he would have.

He told NBC 10, “I didn’t try to cover anything up.”

Joslin said he quickly suspended both his brother and McGirr when allegations were made against them and both of them are no longer employed by Bellevue Massage.

Joslin told NBC10 when the woman called to make the allegation against McGirr she was vague and went on a “rant.”

Joslin admits he had an emotional response, telling NBC 10 “I know it wasn’t the best response, obviously. Look what’s happening now.”

He also told NBC 10, “I don’t think I did anything wrong to be honest, but they’re coming down hard on our business.”

“They’re trying to ruin my life now, my livelihood. It’s ridiculous,” Joslin told NBC 10.

“This is not some weirdo, slimeball place,” Joslin said. “We’re exceptional at what we do.”

A DOH hearing on the Seth Joslin license matter will now be scheduled within 90 days.

Adblock test (Why?)