Massage therapist charged with sexual assault while working at Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Que. - Ottawa Citizen

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Police have charged a man who formerly worked as a massage therapist at the Nordik Spa-Nature resort in Chelsea, Que. with sexual assault.

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Police identified the accused as Marlon Francisco Cordoba Equis, 45, of Gatineau, and said he was a subcontracted masseur at Nordik Spa-Nature for more than three years between June 2019 and December 2022.

“The assault occurred in December 2022 in the context of his work,” MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais police alleged in a media release.

“The investigative evidence gathered leads us to believe that there may have been other victims,” police said in the release.

Isabelle Mathieu, the spa’s general manager, said in an emailed statement Thursday that the spa terminated its contract with Cordoba Equis, who it described as a self-employed massage therapist, “as soon as the complaint was filed by the victim.”

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“We strongly condemn any gesture of this nature. These behaviours are not tolerated in our company,” Mathieu said.

Mathieu said Nordik’s massage therapy subcontractors must provide criminal record checks annually. It also has a “rigorous selection process” and conducts audits of massage therapy services offered by subcontractors to ensure professional conduct.

“Nordik Spa-Nature also wishes to express its empathy and is sincerely saddened by Mr. Cordoba Eguis’ alleged actions towards the victim. Providing a safe and healthy environment for our visitors, employees and contractors will always be a priority, and we will continue to actively collaborate with the authorities in this matter,” Mathieu said.

Police ask anyone with information about the investigation or who believes they may have been a victim to contact Det. Sgt. Mélanie Tremblay at 819-459-2422, ext. 3244, or 1-877-459-2422, ext. 3244.

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