Hunter
07/03/24
An Iowa City massage therapist has been sanctioned and has had his license suspended for five years after a complaint from a female patient.
Iowa Capital Dispatch reports available public records show that last year the board issued an emergency order suspending the license of Abelardo Rodriguez.
The board also alleged that when Rodriguez applied for a massage therapy license in 2018, he failed to voluntarily disclose his 2012 and 2016 criminal convictions for harassment.
According to court records, a woman complained in 2015 to Iowa City Police about Rodriguez, alleging that Rodriguez sent her multiple lewd photos of himself. He also reportedly visited the woman’s place of employment and exposed himself on two different occasions.
Rodriguez later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge.
He later got a massage therapy license from the state and began practicing.
Last year, a woman alleged that Rodriguez massaged her breasts for 15 minutes without her consent. The board alleges that Rodriguez had previously told the woman he was certified in full chest and breast massage and presented her with a consent form to sign if she was interested in the service. The woman declined. When the board investigated the woman’s complaint, Rodriguez alleged that he got the woman’s oral consent to massage her breasts.
During the investigation, the board found that Rodriguez had intentionally withheld information about his past criminal convictions, although the board had access to public records had they run a check on him.
The board said Rodriguez can apply for reinstatement after the five year suspension, providing he undergoes a psychosexual evaluation and complies with treatment or training recommendations.