Former Massage Envy Employee Charged With Battery

SARASOTA, FL - A former employee of Massage Envy has been arrested after two women say they were battered by the man during massage sessions, police said. Ruslan Grushco, 44, of Sarasota has been charged with two counts of battery. Detectives said they believe there could be additional victims.

The first woman reported she was battered by Grushco on Aug. 3 during a massage session at the Massage Envy, 1279 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Grushco told the victim he had low vision and was legally blind. The victim told detectives during her 90-minute session, Grushco lifted the sheet higher than normal. The victim also said Grushco touched her inappropiately during the session, placing his hands in areas she is not normally accustomed to during a massage session.

The victim told detectives she asked Grushco to stop, but instead he asked the victim if she was sure she wanted him to stop and continued to touch her inappropriately. At the end of the session, Grushco solicited the victim for her information to become a private client.

A second woman has also come forward alleging Grushco touched her inappropriately during a massage at her home on July 25. The woman said that during the massage, Grushco grabbed her breasts. The woman then ended the massage.

Gruscho was initially arrested Feb. 2 and charged with battery. He posted $20,000 and was released from the Sarasota County jail. When the second woman came forward, he was arrested again Monday and now faces two charges of battery.

Police said Massage Envy has been cooperative in assisting Sarasota detectives in the case. Grushco is no longer employed by Massage Envy because he solicited clients during his employment with Massage Envy, which is against their policy. Additional statements have been gathered by detectives from former instructors, clients and co-workers who advised of inappropriate and unprofessional conduct involving Grushco, police said.

Last November, BuzzFeed News reported that more than 180 women across the country have accused massage therapists from Massage Envy of sexual assault, and the company has repeatedly ignored the allegations. BuzzFeed cited court records, police reports and other complaints from women who reported being groped and penetrated by massage therapists at Massage Envy locations nationwide.

According to the BuzzFeed report, in places where it is not required by law, Massage Envy "does not compel its franchisees to notify law enforcement."

In an email to BuzzFeed, a lawyer for Massage Envy said: "We hold franchise owners accountable to our policies and, when we say nothing is more important to us than treating clients with respect and giving them a safe, professional experience, we mean it."

Sarasota detectives are partnering with the Florida Department of Health on the Florida case.

Anyone with information on the case can call Detective Kim Laster at 941-364-7327 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

To file a complaint against a healthcare practitioner or establishment in Florida, visit www.flhealthcomplaint.gov.

Image via Shutterstock; mugshot via Sarasota Police