'Sickened' Massage Envy CEO pens open letter to customers after dozens of sexual assaults are reported at the chain's spas

Facebook / Massage Envy

• More than 180 people have accused Massage Envy massage therapists of sexual assault.
• The CEO sent a public letter to all customers, saying he was "sickened" by the stories.
• Massage Envy is rescreening massage therapists and will announce new policies next week.

Massage Envy's CEO has broken his silence following a bombshell report on sexual assault and harassment at the massage chain.

On Monday, BuzzFeed News reported that more than 180 people had filed sexual assault lawsuits, police reports, and state board complaints against Massage Envy and its employees.

Reporter Katie J.M. Baker uncovered allegations of massage therapists touching women's genitals or breasts without consent, as well as other instances of sexual assault, such as grinding against or ejaculating on customers.

On Thursday, Massage Envy CEO Joseph Magnacca sent out an email to customers, apologizing for the claims of sexual misconduct and promising that the company planned to make changes.

"I, like so many of you, continue to be sickened and so disheartened by the stories that have recently been published about sexual misconduct at Massage Envy franchise locations," Magnacca wrote. "We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior and to those who suffered, I am deeply sorry."

According to Magnacca, Massage Envy will announce "details of a comprehensive and transparent path forward" next week.

Here's the full letter:

To Valued Massage Envy Members and Guests,

I, like so many of you, continue to be sickened and so disheartened by the stories that have recently been published about sexual misconduct at Massage Envy franchise locations. We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior and to those who suffered, I am deeply sorry.

The safety of members and guests has always been and will always be paramount. And, we are always looking for ways to do more.

Our initial reaction after reading the media reports was to respond immediately. But, we felt it was important to first talk directly to victims and victim rights groups, industry associations, and sexual violence experts to help define our plan. Early next week, we'll share the details of a comprehensive and transparent path forward. To make meaningful change in this industry, we have to do it thoughtfully and we cannot do it alone. Thankfully, there are many others that feel like we do and are anxious to help.

In the meantime, we are not standing still.

• Each location was required to review, recommunicate and, in no uncertain terms, recommit to our safety and reporting policies.
• We have just completed an additional review of all massage therapist files to ensure they have a completed background check and professional reference checks as well as to ensure their licensure/certification is current and annual training requirements have been met.
• Our accredited third-party background screening company has begun rescreening each and every one of the 20,000 licensed massage therapists within the Massage Envy network.

Let me be clear: this is just the start and these first steps are not the complete answer. We are taking a hard look at ourselves and at the additional changes we must make. Next week, we will announce those changes and begin to put them into action.

We will never stop working to earn your trust.

Sincerely,

Joseph C. Magnacca
CEO Massage Envy Franchising, LLC