Mercer Massage Therapist License Revoked For Sexual Misconduct

Princeton NJ

22 December, 2021

1:50 PM

Description

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy has permanently revoked the license of a Mercer County massage therapist who touched a female client inappropriately during a massage session, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced Wednesday. Asmar R. Berry, 43 of Trenton, New Jersey, is permanently barred from working as a massage therapist in New Jersey after the Board found that he violated multiple rules and regulations governing massage therapy when he had sexual contact with a client during a massage session in 2018. Berry worked at Renewed Spa in Pennington and is the second massage therapist this year to have his license permanently revoked due to sexual misconduct in the workplace, Bruck said. Berry was originally charged with five criminal counts for allegedly exposing and touching a female client inappropriately, including digitally penetrating the client, during a massage therapy session, but was acquitted of all criminal charges after his attorney argued that the sexual contact was consensual but also conceded that his client violated his duty as a massage therapist, Bruck said. After a review, the Board concluded that Berry violated the Board's sexual misconduct regulations, for which consent is not a defense. The Board found that, in addition to other violations, Berry's actions constituted gross negligence, malpractice, incompetence and professional misconduct, warranting a permanent revocation of his license to practice in New Jersey. "Engaging in sexual contact with clients is a serious violation of professional boundaries and an abuse of client trust that comes with serious consequences," Bruck said. "The outcome, in this case, should make it clear that we will not tolerate that type of unacceptable behavior from a massage therapist or any other licensed professional who tries to take advantage of their position for personal gratification." The Board permanently revoked Berry's license to practice in New Jersey, with no ability to reapply, effective Sept. 28. Additionally, he faces a $9,176.44 penalty to cover attorney's fees and investigative costs. Berry's license has been suspended since November 2018, when he entered into a Consent Order and agreed to the temporary suspension until the conclusion of all criminal proceedings, Bruck said. Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected] Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.