Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Respondent: RAUL MESSIR CASTRO, L.M.T.
Judges: ROBERT S. COHEN
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Miami, Florida
Filed: Jul. 16, 2019
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, September 16, 2019.
Latest Update: Jan. 10, 2025
STATE OF FLORIDA
BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
PETITIONER,
v. CASE NO. 2016-22707
RAUL MESSIR CASTRO, L.M.T.,
RESPONDENT.
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW the Petitioner, Department of Health, by and through its
undersigned counsel, and files this Administrative Complaint before the
Board of Massage Therapy (“Board”) against Raul Messir Castro, L.M.T., and
alleges:
1. Petitioner is the state department charged with regulating the
practice of massage therapy pursuant to section 20.43, Florida Statutes;
chapter 456, Florida Statutes; and chapter 480, Florida Statutes.
2. At all times material to this Complaint, Respondent was a
licensed massage therapist in the state of Florida, having been issued license
number MA 67269 on or about February 6, 2012.
3. Respondent's mailing address of record is 1717 West 68th Street.
Hialeah, Florida 33014.
4. Atall times material to the complaint, Respondent was employed
aS a massage therapist at Shin Wellness, located at 4500 Biscayne
Boulevard, Suite 202, Miami, Florida 33137.
5. Onor about May 13, 2015, Patient E.V. received a massage from
Respondent at Shin Wellness.
6. During the course of the massage, Respondent touched Patient
E.V.’s arms with his erect penis.
COUNT I
7. Petitioner realleges and incorporates paragraphs one (1) through
six (6) as if fully set forth herein.
8. Section 480.046(1)(p), Florida Statutes (2014), provides that
violating any provision of chapter 480 or 456, or any rules adopted pursuant
thereto, constitutes grounds for which disciplinary action may be taken by the
Board.
9. Section 480.0485, Florida Statutes (2014), prohibits sexual
misconduct in the practice of massage and states, in pertinent part, that:
Sexual misconduct in the practice of massage therapy.
means violation of the massage therapist-patient
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DOH v. Raul Messir Castro, 2016-22707
relationship through which the massage therapist uses
that relationship to induce or attempt to induce the
patient to engage, or to engage or attempt to engage
the patient, in sexual activity outside the scope of
practice or the scope of generally accepted
examination or treatment of the patient.
10. Respondent touching Patient E.V.’s arms with his erect penis
constitutes sexual activity outside the scope of practice or the scope of
generally accepted examination or treatment of the patient. Rule 64B7-
26.010(4), Florida Administrative Code.
11. Respondent used the massage therapist-patient relationship to
induce or attempt to induce the patient to engage, or to engage or attempt to
engage the patient, in sexual activity outside the scope of practice or the scope
of generally accepted examination or treatment of the patient by touching
Patient E.V.’s arms with his erect penis during the course of a massage.
12. Based on the foregoing, Respondent has violated section
480.046(1)(p), Florida Statutes (2014), through a violation of section
480.0485, Florida Statutes (2014).
COUNT IT
13. Petitioner realleges and incorporates paragraphs one (1)
through six (6) as if fully set forth herein.
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DOH v. Raul Messir Castro, 2016-22707
14. Section 480.046(1})(p), Florida Statutes (2014), provides that
violating any provision of chapter 480 or 456, or any rules adopted pursuant
thereto, constitutes grounds for which disciplinary action may be taken by the
Board.
15. Rule 64B7-26.010(1) and (3), of the Florida Administrative Code,
absolutely prohibits sexual activity by any person or persons in a massage
establishment, and provides that no licensed massage therapist shall use the
therapist-client relationship to engage in sexual activity with any client or to
make arrangements to engage in sexual activity with any client. Rule 64B7-
26.010(4), Florida Administrative Code, defines “sexual activity” as:
[A]ny direct or indirect physical contact by any person
or between persons which is intended to erotically
stimulate either person or both or which is likely to
cause such stimulation and includes sexual
intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus, masturbation, or anal
intercourse. For purposes of this subsection,
masturbation means the manipulation of any body
tissue with the intent to cause sexual arousal. As used
herein, sexual activity can involve the use of any
device or object and is not dependent on whether
penetration, orgasm, or ejaculation has occurred.
16. Respondent used the massage therapist-client relationship to
engage in sexual activity with a client or to make arrangements to engage in
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DOH v. Raul Messir Castro, 2016-22707
sexual activity with a client by touching Patient E.V.’s arms with his erect penis
during the course of a massage.
17. Respondent engaged in sexual activity in a massage establishment
by touching Patient E.V.’s arms with his erect penis during the course of a
massage.
18. Based on the foregoing, Respondent has violated section
480.046(1)(p), Florida Statutes (2014), through a violation of Rule 64B7-
26.010(1) and/or (3), Florida Administrative Code.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner respectfully requests that the Board of
Massage Therapy enter an order imposing one or more of the following
penalties: permanent revocation or suspension of license, restriction of
practice, imposition of an administrative fine, issuance of a reprimand,
placement of the Respondent on probation, corrective action, continuing
education and/or any other relief that the Board deems appropriate.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
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DOH v. Raul Messir Castro, 2016-22707
SIGNED this 14th day of February, 2018.
Celeste Philip, MD, MPH
Surgeon General and Secretary
[S/ Christina Arzillo Shideler
Christina Arzillo Shideler
Assistant General Counsel
DOH Prosecution Services Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-65
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3265
Florida Bar # 90869
(850) 558-9844
(850) 245-4684 FAX
Christina.Shideler@flhealth.gov
PCP: 2.14.2018 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
PCP Members: Drago, Whitridge CLERK Angel Sanders
ww FEB 1 4 2018
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DOH v. Raul Messir Castro, 2016-22707
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
Respondent has the right to request a hearing to be conducted
in accordance with Section 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes,
to be represented by counsel or other qualified representative, to
present evidence and argument, to call and cross-examine
witnesses and to have subpoena and subpoena duces tecum issued
on his or her behalf if a hearing is requested. A request or petition
for an administrative hearing must be in writing and must be
received by the Department within 21 days from the day
Respondent received the Administrative Complaint, pursuant to
Rule 28-106.111(2), Florida Administrative Code. If Respondent
fails to request a hearing within 21 days of receipt of this
Administrative Complaint, Respondent waives the right to request
a hearing on the facts alleged in this Administrative Complaint
pursuant to Rule 28-106.111(4), Florida Administrative Code. Any
request for an administrative proceeding to challenge or contest
the material facts or charges contained in the Administrative
Complaint must conform to Rule 28-106.2015(5), Florida
Administrative Code.
Mediation under Section 120.573, Florida Statutes, is not
available to resolve this Administrative Complaint.
NOTICE REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF COSTS
Respondent is placed on notice that Petitioner has incurred
costs related to the investigation and prosecution of this matter.
Pursuant to Section 456.072(4), Florida Statutes, the Board shall
assess costs related to the investigation and prosecution of a
disciplinary matter, which may include attorney hours and costs, on
the Respondent in addition to any other discipline imposed.
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DOH v. Raul Messir Castro, 2016-22707
Docket for Case No: 19-003732PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Sep. 16, 2019 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Sep. 16, 2019 |
Unopposed Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction Without Prejudice filed.
|
Sep. 05, 2019 |
Notice of Taking Deposition filed.
|
Aug. 23, 2019 |
Notice of Cancellation of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
|
Aug. 22, 2019 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
|
Aug. 16, 2019 |
Respondent's Witness List filed.
|
Aug. 15, 2019 |
Notice of Serving Respondent's Answers to Petitioner's First Request for Production, First Request for Admissions and First Request for Interrogatories filed.
|
Aug. 15, 2019 |
Notice of Serving Respondent's First Request for Production and First Request for Admissions to Petitioner filed.
|
Aug. 13, 2019 |
Notice of Taking Deposition (Dr. Wendy Gallego) filed.
|
Aug. 12, 2019 |
Notice of Taking Deposition (Raul Castro) filed.
|
Aug. 07, 2019 |
Notice of Taking Deposition (E.V.) filed.
|
Jul. 30, 2019 |
Notice of Appearance (Dannie Hart) filed.
|
Jul. 29, 2019 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Jul. 29, 2019 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for September 23, 2019; 9:00 a.m.; Miami and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Jul. 19, 2019 |
Unopposed Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Jul. 17, 2019 |
Notice of Serving Petitioner's First Request for Interrogatories First Request for Production and First Request for Admissions to Respondent filed.
|
Jul. 17, 2019 |
Initial Order.
|
Jul. 16, 2019 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Jul. 16, 2019 |
Request for Administrative Hearing filed.
|
Jul. 16, 2019 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jul. 16, 2019 |
Agency referral filed.
|