Oregon House candidate sues massage parlor

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A Democratic candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives is suing the owner of a massage parlor in Woodburn, Oregon, after he says she tried to initiate sexual contact with him.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that in a suit filed in Marion County Circuit Court Thursday, Anthony Medina claims the owner of Woodburn Spa caused him “emotional injury and mental anguish, trauma, an inability to form close relationships, nightmares” and other negative effects in the incident.

Medina is requesting damages of $450,000. He’s also asking a court to block the owner from operating parlors in Woodburn, Portland and Eugene that were registered with the state under her name.

“They’re operating with impunity,” Sean Riddell, the Portland attorney representing Medina, said on Thursday. “My client’s desire is to shut down these businesses.”

Medina is one of two Woodburn public officials who went to police in February, after they said they visited The Woodburn Spa for a massage in separate instances and were surprised when an employee initiated sexual contact.

Medina, the chair of the Woodburn School Board, is currently the Democratic nominee for House District 22, a district that stretches from Woodburn to Salem.