On Thursday, December 3, 2020, Titusville Police arrested longtime massage therapist Thomas Gregory Grasso, age 57, of Port St. John, Florida after multiple alleged victims reported incidents of sexual abuse to police. According to Titusville police, one of the alleged victims came forward in early October. During the initial battery investigation, detectives found evidence Grasso committed crimes against 19 more female clients over a period of years after they had been referred to him to get massages for medical reasons.
As of January 8, 2021, Titusville Police Chief said a total 21 female patients have filed police reports involving sexual misconduct by Grasso. Thomas Grasso is currently facing misdemeanor and felony charges involving four of the women. Investigators have sent an additional 57 recommended charges to the State Attorney's Office. Grasso has been licensed as a massage therapist in the State of Florida since 1993. Titusville Police say for at least the past 10 years, he sexually assaulted, molested, and exposed himself to patients.
In November 2020, the Florida Department of Health ordered the emergency restriction of Grasso's license for flagrantly disregarding the laws and regulations governing massage therapists. The Emergency Order prohibits Grasso from practicing massage therapy on female clients in the State of Florida, and ensures he can no longer pose an immediate, serious danger to the public's health, welfare and safety.
Grasso has been charged with two counts of Sexual Battery, two counts of Battery, two Counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of an Elderly Person and one count of Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Woman. He was arrested during a traffic stop and booked into the Brevard County Jail with a bond set at $96,000. Additional charges, 43 counts of battery and 14 counts of exposure of sex organs, are being sent to the State Attorney's Office for review.
According to police reports that have been released, the Titusville Police Department received a Battery report on October 22, 2020, by Grasso. The female victim stated that she scheduled a prenatal massage with Grasso in May or June of 2019 when the victim was approximately seven months pregnant. Grasso positioned the victim on her side, with her genitals uncovered. The victim reported that Grasso got extremely close to her vagina and asked her if he could massage the unborn baby.
On October 23, 2020, another police report stated that the victim, who was herself a massage therapist, received three massages by Grasso in 2019. During her last massage, the victim stated that Grasso rubbed her breasts and nipples. She no longer sought out his services.
On October 8, 2020, the Titusville Police Department received a report of Battery and Indecent Exposure. The victim received a massage once before with Grasso that she felt was inappropriate but had no proof. So she booked another massage with him and set up a recording device so she can catch him in action. The video shows Grasso exposing his penis several times and masturbating. It also revealed a substance in his hand that he then massaged the victim with. When the police questioned Grasso about the incident, he denied it until he was shown the video. He then admitted that it was in fact, him and that he only did it because he felt the victim was flirting.
On October 16, 2020, the Titusville Police Department received a report of Battery and Sexual Battery. The victim stated that she had been an ongoing client of Grasso at Dr. Daly's Chiropractic Clinic in Titusville for about a year. During the course of the year, she noticed that Grasso would get increasing closer and closer to her genitals. The victim stated that Grasso told her that he had to massage around her labia, vaginal opening, buttocks, anus, and breasts as part of her treatment. On at least two occasions, Grasso inserted his fingers into the victim's vagina. She also claimed that she would feel an unknown hard object rub on her feel hands and legs, which she believed to be his exposed penis.
When clients book a massage, it is to decompress from the stresses of life. They trust that the massage therapists employed at the spa will act professionally and expect they are carefully vetted and safe to engage with the public. It is unacceptable, immoral and unlawful for any employee to touch a client in a sexual manner.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual misconduct claims against massage therapists on behalf of clients who were inappropriately touched at medical offices, spas and resorts. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery during a massage, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.