license investigation | The Health Law Firm Blog

Florida Suspends 81 Massage Therapists’ Licenses

By Joanne Kenna, J.D., R.N., and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

According to a number of sources, state authorities have announced the suspension of more than 80 massage therapists’ licenses, who appear to have fraudulently obtained their licenses with the help of a Florida College of Natural Health employee. On September 19, 2012, 81 emergency suspension orders (ESOs) were signed, suspending the licenses of massage therapists who are part of ongoing investigations.

To see the entire press release from the Florida governor’s office, click here.

Investigation Found More Than 200 Therapists Obtained Their Licenses Fraudulently.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, earlier […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:35-04:00June 1, 2018|In the Know, In the News, Massage Therapy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Consequences of Having Your Massage Therapy License Revoked (Or Relinquishing it after Notice of an Investigation)

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Many massage therapists, when confronted with an investigation against their license, do not fight the charges, sometimes they decide it is cheaper and easier just to give up their license. Either choice is likely to be a mistake.

A charge can be filed causing an investigation to be opened against a massage therapist by many different sources and often without any supporting evidence. If challenged and defended by an attorney with knowledge and experience in such matters, these investigations may often be dismissed with no disciplinary action against the massage therapist’s license.

Massage Therapists Often […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:35-04:00June 1, 2018|In the Know, In the News, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Department of Health (DOH) Asking Suspended Florida Massage Therapists to Voluntarily Relinquish Their Licenses

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law, and Christopher E. Brown, J.D.

On September 19, 2012, Florida state authorities announced the suspension of more than 80 massage therapists’ licenses. They are accused of fraudulently obtaining their licenses based on fake documentation obtained from a staff member at the Florida College of Natural Health, in Pompano Beach, Florida. On September 20, 2012, one massage therapist, whose license was suspended, spoke to the Sun Sentinel saying she had legitimately completed all of the requirements to obtain a license and is now being asked by the Department of Health (DOH) to voluntarily relinquish […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:36-04:00June 1, 2018|In the Know, In the News, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License, The Health Law Firm Blog|

The Collateral Effects of Voluntary Relinquishment with Investigation Pending or other Discipline on Your Massage Therapy License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Many massage therapists are unaware of the drastic long-term effects that discipline on their massage therapist license could have. This includes submitting a voluntary relinquishment of the massage therapist’s license while there is an investigation pending or while there are charges pending. Although this particular article is being prepared specifically for massage therapists, similar principles apply to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, dentists, mental health counselors and other licensed health professionals.

A voluntary relinquishment of the license after notice of the opening of an investigation or while a charge is pending is treated the same […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:36-04:00June 1, 2018|Department of Health, Health Care Industry, In the Know, In the News, Informal Hearings, Licensing issues, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Florida Massage Therapist Charged in Sexual Battery Case Following Several Complaints

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On June 24, 2016, a South Florida massage therapist was charged with sexual battery after being accused of assaulting a client during a session in February 2016. The therapist who allegedly worked at Chi Spa in Pompano Beach, Florida, pleaded not guilty on charges of sexual battery on a person older than 18 without violence.

The Complaints.

According to police reports, at least three women claimed to have been inappropriately touched during massage appointments at Chi Spa. Police said the spa’s owner said she was aware of one incident because the woman called to ask for her […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:32-04:00May 15, 2018|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Florida Suspends the Licenses of 81 Massage Therapists

By Joanne Kenna, J.D., R.N., and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

According to a number of sources, state authorities have announced the suspension of more than 80 massage therapists’ licenses, who appear to have fraudulently obtained their licenses with the help of an employee with the Florida College of Natural Health. On September 19, 2012, 81 emergency suspension orders (ESOs) were signed, suspending the licenses of massage therapists who are part of ongoing investigations.

To see the entire press release from the Florida governor’s office, click here.

Investigation Found More Than 200 Therapists Obtained Their Licenses Fraudulently.

According to the Tampa Bay […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Department of Health Investigation, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|

Consequences of Having Your Massage Therapy License Revoked (Or Relinquishing it after Notice of an Investigation)

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Many massage therapists, when confronted with an investigation against their license, do not fight the charges, sometimes they decide it is cheaper and easier just to give up their license. Either choice is likely to be a mistake.

A charge can be filed causing an investigation to be opened against a massage therapist by many different sources and often without any supporting evidence. If challenged and defended by an attorney with knowledge and experience in such matters, these investigations may often be dismissed with no disciplinary action […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Department of Health Investigation, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|

Suspended Florida Massage Therapists are Being Asked to Voluntarily Relinquish Their Licenses

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law, and Christopher E. Brown, J.D.

On September 19, 2012, Florida state authorities announced the suspension of more than 80 massage therapists’ licenses. They are accused of fraudulently obtaining their licenses based on fake documentation obtained from a staff member at the Florida College of Natural Health, in Pompano Beach, Florida. On September 20, 2012, one massage therapist, whose license was suspended, spoke to the Sun Sentinel saying she had legitimately completed all of the requirements to obtain a license and is now being asked by the Department of Health […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Department of Health Investigation, Emergency Suspension Orders, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|

The Collateral Effects of Voluntary Relinquishment with Investigation Pending or other Discipline on Your Massage Therapy License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Many massage therapists are unaware of the drastic long-term effects that discipline on their massage therapist license could have. This includes submitting a voluntary relinquishment of the massage therapist’s license while there is an investigation pending or while there are charges pending. Although this particular article is being prepared specifically for massage therapists, similar principles apply to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, dentists, mental health counselors and other licensed health professionals.

A voluntary relinquishment of the license after notice of the opening of an investigation or while a charge is pending is treated the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Department of Health Investigation, Emergency Suspension Orders, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|

Florida Board of Massage Therapy Revokes More Licenses

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Board of Massage Therapy met in Sunrise, Florida, on January 24 and 25, 2013. During the meeting the Board held disciplinary hearings to determine, among other matters, the fate of a number of Florida massage therapists. Many of these massage therapists were accused of obtaining their licenses to practice through a transcript-buying scandal centered on the Florida College of Natural Health.

The Health Law Firm had one of its attorneys present at this Board of Massage Therapy meeting to […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:47-04:00May 15, 2018|Department of Health Investigation, Emergency Suspension Orders, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|