Massage Therapist Loses License Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations In Monmouth County

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — The NJ Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy has permanently revoked a Monmouth County massage therapist’s license amid allegations that he engaged in inappropriate and unwanted sexual contact with female clients during massage sessions, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said Thursday.

Evans W. Chigounis has been permanently barred from working as a massage therapist in New Jersey under an agreement he entered with the board to resolve allegations that he touched a female client’s breast and genital area during a massage session, and placed his genitals in another female client's hand during a session at a different salon, Platkin said.

In a Final Consent Order filed with the board on Tuesday, June 10, Chigounis agreed to immediately surrender his license to practice massage therapy in New Jersey, with such surrender to be deemed “a permanent revocation with no possibility to reapply for licensure in the future.”

“New Jersey has zero tolerance for massage therapists who engage in sexual misconduct against clients during massage therapy sessions,” Platkin said. “We will continue to investigate and root out individuals who hide behind their professional licenses to sexually prey on the clients who trust them.”

According to the filed consent order, Chigounis was accused of massaging a woman's breast and tapping his hand on her genital area over the blanket during a session at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Manalapan in July 2024; the company fired him after he admitted to acting inappropriately, the attorney general's office said.

The board then received a complaint from another employer, A Kneaded Vacation Massage & Wellness salon in Red Bank, alleging that in November 2024, Chigounis placed his genitals in a patient’s hand when she was face down during a massage therapy treatment, authorities said. Chigounis was then fired by this employer as well.

“Chigounis’ conduct, if proven, would demonstrate, among other things, that he engaged in gross and repeated acts of negligence, malpractice, or incompetence and violated the rules of professional conduct,” authorities said. “Including those prohibiting licensees from engaging in sexual contact with a client; and engaging in activities that serve their own prurient interests or sexual gratification."

Under the terms set forth in the Final Consent Order, Chigounis must immediately cease and desist from holding himself out as a massage and bodywork therapist and refrain from practice in New Jersey. He is also required to immediately cease and desist from all client contact in any location.

“This kind of sexual misconduct is a threat to the public and an affront to the vast majority of licensed massage therapists who conduct themselves professionally and treat their clients with the respect and dignity they deserve,” said Elizabeth M. Harris, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “By permanently barring this licensee from practice, we’re demonstrating our commitment to ensuring client safety and protecting the integrity of New Jersey’s massage therapy industry.”

Patients who believe that they have been treated in an inappropriate manner by a licensed professional can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll-free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.