Two women sue Bend spa, massage therapist for $11 million
Two women are suing a Bend massage spa for more than $11 million after claiming a massage therapist sexually abused them.
Christopher Rosario, 37, who worked at Massage Envy at Bend’s Cascade Village Shopping Center, was arrested in March by Bend police and charged with sexually assaulting two clients during massage sessions.
He is scheduled to go on trial Jan. 31 on charges including sexual abuse and sodomy.
Two civil lawsuits were filed this week by the Bend law firm Dwyer, Williams and Potter against Rosario and AMC Royal, listed as the owner of Massage Envy in Bend. They claim personal injury (sexual battery), intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, professional misconduct and breach of contract. One woman also accuses Rosario of sexual assault.
Each woman claims Rosario touched them inappropriately while they were getting a massage in October 2015. One of the women said he also forced her to have oral sex.
Rosario’s attorney, Shawn Kollie, appointed to the case in October, filed a motion last week, seeking a delay in the trial and saying he needs more time to review the case with his client. Deschutes Circuit Judge Alta Brady granted the continuance in an order filed Monday; a new trial date has not been set.
