Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
January 31, 2020 - 8:00 AM
A Penticton massage therapist is facing new allegations of sexual misconduct.
A notice of civil claim was filed against Leonard Krekic in B.C. Supreme Court on Dec. 31, 2019, alleging further sexual misconduct by a female patient.
The claim also names the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia and a Jane Doe — who was appointed by the college to oversee Krekic’s female appointments following a previous sexual allegation against him last year — as co-defendants in the civil suit
Following a complaint alleging non-therapeutic touching by a female patient in 2019, Krekic was subject to disciplinary action by the college on April 5, 2019, requiring him to have a chaperone present while treating female patients.
He sought to have the ruling overturned last June but the order remains in place, College of Massage Therapists CEO Eric Wredenhagen said in an email Thursday, Jan. 30.
Wredenhagen said Krekic filed a notice of appeal to have the chaperone order struck down but has taken no steps since then to proceed with the appeal.
The patient involved in the most recent claim first began massage treatments with Krekic in March, 2019, for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
She alleges Krekic committed assault and battery of a sexual nature by placing and moving his hands under her private clothing and on a private area with his eyes closed, stating she found this “embarrassing and painful.”
After several sessions with Krekic, another person was suddenly present in the room with them. The patient was told the person was job shadowing.
It wasn’t until three months later the patient read of the previous complaint against Krekic and the resulting order requiring a chaperone attend his female appointments.
The woman continued to trust Krekic through several more appointments because he continually professed his Christian faith, according to the civil claim documents.
She eventually approached him about renting a suite on his income property in September, 2019, but moved out last November when she became aware Krekic had entered her suite without permission on several occasions.
During her last sessions with Krekic in October, she claims Krekic moved his body in such a way her hand would rest on the Krekic’s private area, no matter what she did to keep her hand on the massage table.
During these times the chaperone was present but was five feet away and immersed in her iPad.
The woman is seeking various compensation, including general, aggravated and punitive damages and costs.
She claims Krekic failed in his duty to his patient by repeated and non-consensual sexual assaults and battery, in addition to other misconduct. She further claims the college failed to take proper steps to ensure patient’s safety after being aware of Krekic’s history of sexual abusive behaviour. She also claims the chaperone failed to monitor Krekic’s actions.
Krekic has yet to file a response to the claim.
“This is an active matter currently before the courts. The College of Massage Therapists of B.C. can therefore only state that its position is that there is no merit to the plaintiff’s claim against the (college). The CMTBC makes no comment with respect to the plaintiff’s claim against Leonard Krekic or Jane Doe," Wredenhagen said.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
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