Third woman accuses former therapist of touching her inappropriately during massage, cops say
A former massage therapist is facing additional charges after a third victim came forward and said he touched her inappropriately during a massage appointment, according to the Sarasota Police Department.
Ruslan Grushco, 44, turned himself in to the Sarasota County Jail on Tuesday morning and was charged with battery.
A warrant was issued for Grushco on Feb. 22, when a third victim came forward after seeing multiple news reports about his arrest in early February. The woman told detectives that Grushco touched her inappropriately during a massage appointment that she booked through the online app “Thumbtack” on Jan. 1. The massage took place at Inspirations Salon & Day Spa, 1740 Main St. in Sarasota.
The first woman told Sarasota police that she was battered by Gruscho during an Aug. 3, 2017, session at Massage Envy, at 1279 S. Tamiami Trail. She told police that at one point during the 90-minute appointment, Grushco lifted the sheet higher than normal and put his hands in an area she was not used to during a massage session. She became uncomfortable and asked him to stop, to which he asked “if she was sure.”
The second woman came forward and told police that during a massage at the same Massage Envy in the summer of 2017, Grushco offered her a private in-home massage. She accepted and they arranged an appointment for July 25. She ended the massage that day when she became uncomfortable after he touched her inappropriately, according to the affidavit.
By January, the owner of Massage Envy was filing a complaint against Grushco after being made aware of “multiple other inappropriate encounters” he had with clients and co-workers.
Grushco is no longer employed by Massage Envy, according to police.
He now has a total of three charges for battery and is currently being held at the Sarasota County Jail.
Samantha Putterman: 941-745-7027, @samputterman
This story was originally published February 27, 2018 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Third woman accuses former therapist of touching her inappropriately during massage, cops say."