Findings Of Fact Petitioner, Department of Professional Regulation, Board of Cosmetology, is the state agency charged with regulating the practice of cosmetology pursuant to Section 20.30, Chapters 455 and 477, Florida Statutes. Respondent, Nadine Alice Walker d/b/a Nadine's Styling Salon, is licensed to practice cosmetology and to operate a cosmetology salon, having been issued license number CL 0102000 and CE 0032562. During times material hereto, Respondent Walker has been the owner/operator of a cosmetology salon named "Nadine's Styling Salon" located at 1014 East Cass Street, Tampa, Florida 33602. Respondent Hunt, during times material, was not a licensed cosmetologist in Florida. During a routine inspection of Respondent Walker's salon on June 16, 1990, inspector Steve Yovino, who is employed by Petitioner to conduct routine inspection of, inter alia, cosmetology salons to determine their compliance with Chapter 477, Florida Statutes, observed Respondent Hunt using an electric dryer to "blow dry" a customer's hair which she had shampooed. Respondent Hunt was compensated for her services. On the day of the inspector's routine inspection of Respondent Walker's salon, it was the first day that Respondent Hunt had assisted Respondent Walker at Walker's styling salon. Respondent Hunt is presently enrolled in a cosmetology school to become trained and licensed as a cosmetologist in Florida. Respondent Walker engaged the services of Respondent Hunt to assist her in those duties in which an unlicensed cosmetologist can engage in, to wit, performing routine maintenance around the salon to include sweeping and cleaning the booth areas. Respondent Walker's aim was to assist Respondent Hunt in gaining experience in those areas of cosmetology which did not require a license. Neither Respondent Hunt nor Respondent Walker have been the subject of prior disciplinary action by the Petitioner.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that: Petitioner enter a Final Order imposing an administrative fine against Respondent Nadine Alice Walker in the amount of $100, payable to Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the entry of its Final Order and issue Respondent Nadine Alice Walker a letter of guidance. Petitioner enter a Final Order imposing an administrative fine against Respondent Tracy Hunt in the amount of $100, payable to Petitioner within thirty days of the entry of its Final Order and issue Respondent Tracy Hunt a letter of guidance. 1/ RECOMMENDED this 28th day of February, 1991, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. JAMES E. BRADWELL Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904)488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 28th day of February, 1991.
Findings Of Fact Marie J. Jeune, Respondent, owns an establishment known as Joset's Beauty Salon located at 341 N.W. 3rd Street, Pompano Beach, Florida. From January, 1984 until July, 1984 Respondent operated Joset's Beauty Salon as a cosmetology salon but at no time did she have a license from the Board of Cosmetology for the salon. During this time, she employed a licensed cosmetologist on the premises, and she testified that she did not know that the salon had to be licensed. She thought she was complying with the law by employing a licensed cosmetologist and obtaining an occupational license. In July, 1984 the licensed cosmetologist left her employment at Joset's Beauty Salon due to pregnancy. On October 9, 1984, Alexa Arachy, an inspector employed by the Department of Professional Regulation conducted an inspection of Joset's Beauty Salon. Inspector Arachy observed an unlicensed person, later identified as Respondent's sister-in- law, Ms. McPhaton Jeune, giving a shampoo to a woman in the salon. She also observed two shampoo sinks, a salon station, numerous open bottles of dyes and waving lotions, combs, brushes, towels, hair on the floor, and a trash container full of items which would normally result from the operation of a salon. At no time has either Respondent or Ms. McPhaton Jeune been licensed by the Board of Cosmetology or the Barber Board, nor has Joset's Beauty Salon ever been licensed by the Board of Cosmetology, or the Barber Board. Proposed findings of fact submitted by Petitioner pursuant to Section 120.57(1)(b)4, F.S. have been considered in making the above findings of fact. A ruling on each proposed finding of fact has been made either directly or indirectly in this Recommended Order, except where such proposed findings have been rejected as subordinate, cumulative, immaterial or unnecessary.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law it is recommended that the Board of Cosmetology enter a Final Order imposing an administrative fine against Respondent in the amount of three hundred dollars ($300). DONE and ENTERED this 2nd day of April, 1985 at Tallahassee, Florida. DONALD D. CONN, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 2nd day of April, 1985. COPIES FURNISHED: Theodore R. Gay, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Marie J. Jeune 341 N.W. 3rd Street Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 Fred Roche, Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Respondent's alleged violation of Sections 477.02(6), 477.15(8), 477.27(1) & (2), Florida Statutes.
Findings Of Fact Clodoaldo and Olimpia Linares operate the Alinas Beauty Salon, a partnership, at 754 East 1st Avenue, Hialeah, Florida under Certificate of Registration to operate a cosmetology salon number 20143 issued by Petitioner on August 21, 1974. Petitioner's Inspector Miller, accompanied by Inspector Padrick, visited Respondent's salon on October 31 1975, to investigate a report that Respondent had an operator at their shop who was practicing cosmetology without a license. At that time the inspectors discovered Carmen Salvador giving a manicure to a patron. Salvador stated to the inspectors that although she did not have a Florida license to practice cosmetology, she was not employed in the salon. (Testimony of Miller and Padrick) Respondent Olimpia Linares testified that Salvador was her cousin and that while she was waiting for Linares to leave the salon for the evening she filed a patron's nails while Linares was working on the patron's hair. The patron was a friend of Salvador. (Testimony of Linares)
Recommendation That Respondent, Olimpia Linares, be issued a written reprimand for violation of Section 477.27(2), Florida Statutes. DONE and ENTERED this 28th day of July, 1976, in Tallahassee, Florida. COPIES FURNISHED: Ronald C. LaFace, Esquire P.O. Box 1752 Tallahassee, Florida Clodoaldo and Olimpia Linares c/o Alinas Beauty Salon THOMAS C. OLDHAM Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 754 East 1 Avenue Hialeah, Florida
The Issue Respondent's alleged violation of Section 477.14(1) & 477.17, Florida Statutes. Receipt of Administrative Complaint and Notice of Hearing was acknowledged by Respondent. (Exhibit 1)
Findings Of Fact On May 20, 1975, Respondent was employed at the Elizabeth Arden cosmetology salon, 340 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, Florida. This salon operates under Certificate of Registration No. 21626 issued by Petitioner on May 8, 1975. Petitioner's inspector had seen an ad in the Miami Herald to the effect that Respondent was employed at that establishment and she was aware of the fact that he did not hold a current cosmetologist license. She visited him on May 20, 1975 and he stated at that time that he had applied for a license. The inspector checked with Petitioner's records personnel and discovered that his license had not been renewed at that time. (Testimony of Padrick) Respondent submitted letters dated June 25, 1976 in which he stated that he had planned to attend his hearing but was unable to do so because of illness in the family. He further stated that he had been a licensed cosmetologist in the State of Florida for over 20 years, and previously one in Illinois for over six (6) years. He stated that he had severe medical problems and went out of the beauty field for approximately two years and when the job opportunity at Elizabeth Arden came along he forwarded a check for $35.00 to Petitioner to reinstate his cosmetology Certificate and that when Petitioner's inspector entered the shop on May 20, 1975, his new license had not yet been received. However, he did show her the check stub. They then jointly called Petitioner's Winter Haven office and he was advised that the check had not been received but that he should send a money order and his old license stub. He did so and his license was received on June 14, 1975. (Statement of Respondent)
Recommendation That the allegation against Respondent be dismissed. DONE and ENTERED this 28th day of July, 1976, in Tallahassee, Florida. THOMAS C. OLDHAM, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 COPIES FURNISHED: Ronald C. LaFace, Esquire P.O. Box 1752 Tallahassee, Florida Robert Wintermute c/o Elizabeth Arden 340 Miracle Mile Coral Gables, Florida
The Issue The issue is whether Respondent's license as a cosmotologist should be disciplined for the reasons cited in the Administrative Complaint filed on June 20, 1997.
Findings Of Fact Based upon all of the evidence, the following findings of fact are determined: Background This proceeding involves a complaint that Respondent, Timothy C. Troutman, a licensed cosmetologist since 1981, engaged in "misconduct" while employed as an instructor at Riverside Hairstyling Academy (RHA) in Jacksonville, Florida. When the events herein occurred, Respondent was licensed as a certified cosmetologist having been issued license number CL 0134716 by Petitioner, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Board of Cosmetology (Board). RHA is certified as a cosmetology school and has several campuses, including one on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida. The school is owned by Respondent's father, Howard Troutman. Respondent was employed as a floor instructor at RHA. In this capacity, he supervised the activities of approximately twenty students at any given time, as they performed cosmetology services. The underlying charges in this matter are that: (a) Respondent improperly touched Neva A. Choulat, a former student; (b) he made threatening telephone calls to, and improperly touched, Joanna Flowers, a customer; and (c) he made sexually explicit remarks to, and inappropriately touched, Nora Maszey, a former student. As to Maszey, it is also alleged that Respondent threatened to "affect her school credits if she made trouble for him." Each set of charges will be discussed separately below. Count I In this count, it is alleged that, while giving a facial to Choulat, Respondent "proceeded to massage her bare breasts underneath [her] smock," "directly touched her nipples and rubbed her breasts," and "rubbed his hands up and down her sides to include the sides of her breasts." On December 5, 1995, when she was sixteen years of age, Choulat enrolled at RHA in order to pursue her goal of completing RHA's 1200-hour cosmetology course and ultimately obtaining a cosmetology license. At that time, she was a full-time high student and attended RHA as a night/weekend student in addition to her high school studies. Prior to August 24, 1996, Choulat had no problems of any kind with Respondent, and they had a normal student-teacher relationship. On August 24, 1996, Choulat was performing cosmetology services on four clients. Throughout the morning, Respondent repeatedly asked Choulat if she wanted him to give her a facial. She agreed, and after lunch, Respondent took Choulat to a small room that was used for the giving of facials. The room had no windows, and the door was closed during the giving of the facial. Respondent instructed Choulat to remove her shirt and bra and don a smock. He left the room while she did so. When he returned to the room, he closed the door and told Choulat to lie down and close her eyes. Respondent then took Choulat's arms out of the smock. At that point, she had nothing covering her torso, except for a large towel that Respondent had placed over her chest. Respondent started performing the facial, but he quickly moved beyond the acceptable scope of a facial. Without asking Choulat's permission, Respondent rubbed his hand down her lower back, touched her breasts and nipples, and rubbed his hands down her sides, touching the sides of her breasts. At first, Choulat was too frightened to cry out or protest. However, Respondent asked her if she wanted him to stop, to which she replied "yes." Respondent then left the room, and Choulat put her clothes back on. After dressing, Choulat went to the beginner's room and began crying. She then told another student, Cynthia Summers, that Respondent had touched her breasts in the facial room. Summers advised Choulat to tell her mother. Later that afternoon, Summers confronted Respondent and told him that she was aware of his actions with Choulat and that this was a stupid thing to do with a seventeen-year-old student. In response, Respondent stated that "it was stupid of me." When Summers asked Respondent what would happen if Choulat went to the police or his father, Respondent replied "I hope she don't." At approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day, Choulat filed a complaint with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office regarding Respondent's conduct. Choulat reported that Respondent had touched her breasts without her permission. She followed up by telling her parents, filing a complaint with the Office of the State Attorney, and reporting the incident to Respondent's father. Choulat disenrolled from RHA a few weeks later, despite having invested more than $2,400.00 in tuition payments. She stopped her course of studies and is now employed in another field. Although Choulat has a pending civil action against Respondent and RHA, her testimony is found to be credible. This finding is based on Choulat's consistent account of the incident over time, her actions immediately after the incident occurred, the corroborating testimony of Summers, an impartial witness, and the admissions made by Respondent to Summers immediately after the incident. Respondent's contentions that Choulat had initiated the subject of getting a facial, that the smock was never removed, that nothing improper occurred during the fifteen- minute demonstration, and that he made no incriminating admissions to witness Summers have been rejected. The evidence established that while a facial may extend below the neck, at no point does it include massaging of breasts and nipples, nor should it extend below the upper portion of the shoulder blades in the back, or below the armpit level on the front of the body. Further, it is not an acceptable teaching practice to give a private facial to a student outside of a classroom setting. Therefore, Respondent's conduct with student Choulat equates to misconduct in the practice of cosmetology. Count II The second count alleges that while giving a hair cut to Joanna Flowers in 1995, Respondent "placed her long hair over her breasts" and "stroked her breast under the pretext of stroking her hair." The complaint also alleges that he "rubbed his penis up against Ms. Flowers' hands and/or arms while they were resting on the arms of the chair," and that he thereafter telephoned Flowers "numerous times at her home" and she "felt threatened by [the calls]." Flowers, who is now twenty-two years of age, occasionally went to RHA in 1992 or 1993 for hair cuts. RHA records show that she went only twice. On both occasions, a receptionist would assign a staff member to cut her hair. On her second visit in the fall of 1993, Respondent was assigned by the receptionist to cut her hair. Flowers had long hair which went over her upper chest and fell to a length that was below her breasts. Following the initial haircut, Respondent checked the cut to determine whether it was even. While checking the length of the cut, Respondent pulled the hair down in front of Flowers and his hand may have accidentally touched her breasts. However, if such touching occurred, it was not intentional, and it was not inappropriate to check the length of the cut in this manner. At the same time, Respondent's "crotch area [was] at the same level that the arm rest is on the chair," and while leaning over the chair, Respondent may have accidentally come into contact with Flowers' arm. Again, however, if a touching occurred, it was unintentional. Finally, there was no testimony to support the allegation that Respondent called Flowers on numerous occasions at home in a threatening fashion. Count III The last count alleges that "on numerous occasions" between 1995 and 1996, Respondent "touched the chest and buttocks [of Norah Homan, now Norah Maszey] in an inappropriate manner." The complaint also alleges that Respondent made "sexual references and innuendos regarding her," and that Respondent "implied" to her that "he could affect her school credits if she made trouble for him." Based on Respondent's alleged misconduct, Maszey subsequently filed a civil action against Respondent and RHA. Maszey, now twenty-seven years of age, was a cosmetology student at RHA between March 1995 until her graduation in March 1996. During her tenure at RHA, Respondent was one of her instructors. In September 1995, while in a floor setting learning how to cut and style hair, Maszey went to the supply room to "get a tube of color off the shelf." As she was bending over with her back to the door, Respondent came up behind her and placed "his hands right on the inside of [her] buttocks." Although Respondent did not touch the vaginal area, "he was as close as he could have been without" actually touching it. Maszey jumped up and Respondent "just smiled and acted kind of scared" and said he was "sorry." By inappropriately touching Maszey in this fashion, Respondent committed misconduct in the practice of cosmetology. Except for this incident, however, there was no other credible evidence that Respondent inappropriately touched Maszey "on numerous occasions," as alleged in the complaint. During Maszey's tenure as a student at RHA, Respondent occasionally told her that she "was pretty." But this remark alone does not rise to the level of constituting "sexual references and innuendos," as alleged in the complaint. Indeed, Maszey simply described these comments as being "way too much complimenting," but nothing more. Finally, there is less than clear and convincing evidence to support the allegation that Respondent threatened to take away her credits if she "made trouble for him." Mitigating and Aggrevating Factors Mitigating factors Respondent has been licensed as a cosmetologist for seventeen years. Except for the two inappropriate touchings of Choulat and Maszey, which occurred more than two years ago, he has an unblemished record. Respondent has worked in his father's school since the age of twenty. The loss of a license will deprive him of working in his life-long profession and cause financial harm to Respondent and his family. Contrary to Petitioner's suggestion, Respondent is not found to be a "grave danger to the public" should he retain his license. Aggrevating factors Respondent improperly touched two young women, each on one occasion. By doing so, he breached the position of trust he held as an instructor. After being inappropriately touched in 1996, Choulat lost her desire to pursue a career field in cosmetology and left the school. She also lost approximately $2,463.00 she had invested in the school. In addition, she sought counseling from a social worker. Although Maszey eventually graduated from RHA, she no longer works in the profession and now prefers to work alone at home. At the same time, however, she stated that "Tim is [not] responsible for absolutely all of that, but he sure did not help."
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Board of Cosmetology enter a Final Order finding Respondent guilty of violating Sections 477.028(1)(b) and 477.029 (1)(h), Florida Statutes, by inappropriately touching students Choulet and Maszey, and that Respondent's license number CL 0134716 be revoked. All other charges should be dismissed. DONE AND ENTERED this 21st day of April, 1998, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DONALD R. ALEXANDER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 21st day of April, 1998. COPIES FURNISHED: Elizabeth C. Masters, Esquire 7960 Arlington Expressway Suite 230 Jacksonville, Florida 32311 Michael R. Yokan, Esquire 204 Washington Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Joe Baker, Executive Director Board of Cosmetology 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0790 Lynda L. Goodgame, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792
