Woman who reported sexual abuse during massage sues SW Portland spa management - OregonLive.com

[massage]

A woman who reported being sexually abused during a massage at a Southwest Portland spa is suing the company that manages the hotel and spa, and the employee who was subsequently arrested.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court, accuses HRI Lodging LLC and former employee Benjamin Collura of sexual battery.

Benjamin ColluraMCSO

The alleged assault occurred on the morning of Feb. 20 at River's Edge Hotel & Spa at 455 S.W. Hamilton Court while the 31-year-old plaintiff, identified as C.B. in the lawsuit, was a visitor.

Collura led the woman to a private massage room.

"After a nearly complete massage, in what appeared to be done in a dignified and professional manner, defendant Collura took the occasion to sexually violate plaintiff with his hand,'' the lawsuit says.

The woman reported the alleged assault to Portland police and was treated at a local hospital for a cervical abrasion, the lawsuit says.

Police earlier this month arrested Benjamin Thomas Collura, 32, on allegations of second-degree sexual abuse and third-degree sexual abuse.

Antonio Recillas, River's Edge Hotel & Spa's general manager, said earlier this month that Collura was suspended from his job Feb. 20 when police informed him of the investigation. He was terminated upon his arrest, Recillas said.

Recillas said River's Edge takes such allegations "extremely seriously,'' and has cooperated with the police investigation.

In a prepared statement, the company added, "The safety and comfort of our guests is of paramount importance to us, and we will continue to aid the police in any way we can.''

On Wednesday, River's Edge general manager, in an email, said he was unaware of the lawsuit.

Detectives said they suspected there may be other victims that have not reported similar abuse.

According to the plaintiff's lawyer Greg Kafoury, Collura had confessed to police that he had assaulted his client after initially denying it, and told investigators there are other victims.

"The police are certain there are other victims. We hope that those women will draw courage from our client and find the strength to come forward,'' Kafoury said Wednesday.

Collura previously worked at two Massage Envy locations in 2010 and 2013, one in John's Landing in Southwest Portland and one in the Lloyd District in Northeast Portland.

Collura, of Northeast Portland, was arraigned in court March 10. He posted 10 percent of his $7,500 bail and was released from jail last week, according to court records.

The case is being presented to a grand jury for review, and Collura is due back in court March 24.

Anyone with more information about Collura or other allegations of abuse should contact Detective Jeff Myers at 503-823-0595, jeff.myers@portlandoregon.gov.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com
503-221-8212
@maxoregonian

Let's block ads! (Why?)