CHARLOTTE — A woman has filed a lawsuit against a Woodhouse Spa location in Charlotte, alleging she was sexually assaulted during a massage in late June 2025.
The lawsuit involves the spa location on Piedmont Row Drive in Southpark.
The massage therapist involved was placed on probation by the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy just 18 days before the June incident occurred.
That probation stemmed from a December 2024 complaint in which another woman reported being touched inappropriately at the same spa.
Following the latest complaint, the therapist surrendered his massage license.
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According to the lawsuit, the woman left the room immediately following the incident and notified spa management, but claims proper action was not taken.
She is seeking tens of thousands of dollars for emotional distress caused by the event.
Yale Haymond, the attorney representing the woman, addressed the nature of the legal filing. “Our complaint alleges that she was a victim of sexual assault,” Haymond said.
Haymond questioned how the situation was allowed to occur given the therapist’s history.
“Frankly I don’t see how something like that happens,” Haymond said. “It shouldn’t. And that’s the crux of the problem here is that she shouldn’t never have been in that circumstance in the first place.”
Learning about the prior disciplinary action came as a surprise to the plaintiff and her legal team. “Frankly I was shocked,” Haymond said. “And so was my client.”
The massage therapist is not being named because he has not been charged with a crime.
Woodhouse Spa was reached for comment regarding the lawsuit, and representatives stated they were working on a response.
Members of the public who have complaints about a massage parlor or worker can file them with the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.
Their website specifies that complaints must be submitted in writing and delivered to the board by mail, electronically, or in person.