Long Island Massage Therapist Accused of Sexually Abusing Three Spa Customers
Oct 24, 2018
New York, NY(Law Firm Newswire) October 24, 2018 – A massage therapist was arrested for sexually abusing three women at a day spa in Long Island, New York. Suffolk Police said the man was accused of inappropriately touching the spa customers.
Matthew Widener, 33, was first arrested in August and then arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on further sexual abuse charges in September after authorities learned of new victims. He is a licensed massage therapist who had been working at Karasmatic Day Spa in Bayport for around a year.
“Individuals accused of sexual abuse require an intelligent, aggressive defense,” commented Peter Brill, a New York criminal defense attorney with Brill Legal Group, who is not involved with the case. “Being accused of a sex-related offense can have a devastating impact on the person’s future such as having to register as a sex offender, difficulty getting employment or even being ostracized by family.”
Widener pleaded not guilty to third-degree sexual abuse charges, according to Suffolk Police. Police said a 34-year-old female spa customer had a massage appointment at Karasmatic Day Spa on August 12 during which Widener allegedly touched her inappropriately. He was accused of engaging in the same behavior with two other women on August 11 and January 27 this year.
Widener was immediately fired from Karasmatic Day Spa after his employer found out about the sexual abuse allegations. “Obviously, such behavior would never be tolerated in that environment,” said the spa owner’s attorney. “There’s never been any sort of complaints about the salon.” The spa said it was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
Detectives said Widener was also employed at another Long Island spa called Element Day Spa between June 2013 and December 2017. They encouraged other potential sexual abuse victims of Widener’s to get in touch with them.
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