A former Sedona mas-sage therapist was ordered to pay $4.93 million after a jury found him guilty of alleged sexual misconduct against two women. The money was awarded following a recent civil trial in Yavapai County Superior Court against 48-year-old Aaron Frank Orrico.
The jury awarded a Massachusetts woman $300,000 in compensatory damages and a Rimrock woman $630,000. The jury also awarded $4 million in punitive damages to the two women.
Sedona attorney Stephen Schwartz, who represents the plaintiffs and filed the lawsuit in January 2018, said he couldn’t discuss the verdict at this time.
“My clients asked that we withhold comment until the criminal case is resolved,” he said.
Orrico’s criminal case was to begin this month but it has since been postponed until early next year.
Sedona police arrested Orrico on Nov. 16, 2016, and charged him with several counts of sexual assault and sexual abuse. At the time one victim came forward and the other later followed, with the incidences reportedly occurring at different times that year while Orrico was employed at NAMTI Spa. While originally listed in the lawsuit, NAMTI Spa owner Jeff McGrath said any and all claims involving the spa and himself were dismissed from the lawsuit prior to the civil trial.
“NAMTI Spa has zero tolerance for any act of sexual misconduct,” McGrath wrote in an email to the Sedona Red Rock News. “There is no place for it in our society, and thanks to the strength of those who are speaking out, just outcomes will result. I commend these brave women for bringing their complaint to our attention, and support their actions in reporting and seeking justice.”
A court order dismissing NAMTI and McGrath states:
“It is ordered that defendants NAMTI Spa and Jeff McGrath be dismissed from this action with prejudice. This dismissal shall not in any way affect plaintiffs’ rights to prosecute their claims against defendant Aaron Orrico and defendant Aaron Orrico remains a defendant in this action.”
In handwritten complaints to the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy, the two plaintiffs in the case wrote about their experience when being massaged by Orrico.
“After flipping over onto my back, Mr. Orrico began to rub areas on my body underneath the blanket covering, including my stomach and between my breasts,” part of the Massachusetts woman’s complaint reads regarding a Feb. 18, 2016, incident. “He then began to uncover those areas on my body. Mr. Orrico then put his hand on my pubic mound and in between my [genitalia]. ‘I said, no thanks, I’m all set.’ Mr. Orrico re-covered my body and whispered in my ear, ‘I hope I didn’t offend you.’ He left the room. I dressed and exited the room. Mr. Orrico stopped me in the hallway and told me, ‘I hope I didn’t cross any boundaries.’”
The Rimrock woman wrote about similar circumstances that took place on June 7, 2016, in which Orrico allegedly touched her breasts and genitalia.
“He continued after I let him know I was uncomfortable,” she wrote. “He kept talking, telling me he was only trying to make me feel good.”
In a notarized letter dated March 2, 2016, to the Board of Massage Therapy, Orrico wrote that he did not make any inappropriate comments, suggestions or physical contact of a sexual nature toward the Massachusetts woman.
“I maintained professional draping standards the entire time, as I do with any client I have ever treated,” he wrote. “I did not in any way make contact with [client’s] genitalia or even anything close. I am at a loss to understand the complaint that she made to the reception prior to leaving the building.”
The board found that Orrico’s actions “constitute sexual activity” in violation of the law and were grounds for discipline. His license was revoked.
Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795 ext 122 or by email at reland@larsonnewspapers.com
