Newport Bellevue Avenue Massage Parlor’s Owner Hit With Disciplinary Action by State

Newport Bellevue Avenue Massage Parlor’s Owner Hit With Disciplinary Action by State

The developing story of Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks in Newport has taken yet another twist.

The business is located across the street from the Viking Hotel on one of America's most historic and prestigious streets. 

But in the past year, it has drawn the attention of state regulators and the police after improper behavior by one of the massage therapists—he has been charged by Newport Police and had his license suspended by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). 

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The owner of Bellevue Massage in Newport has now been suspended for six months by RIDOH. 

The action comes after RIDOH issued a summary suspension of licensed massage therapist Patrick McGirr— after he reportedly “groped the breasts and tweaked the nipples” of a patient — and then summarily suspended Bellevue Massage owner Seth Joslin for trying to cover it up. 

This week, RIDOH announced Joslin's license has been suspended for 6 months, stemming from the date of his summary suspension 

As GoLocal reported in June, 

[On] April 25, 2024, RIDOH received notice that, during practicing massage therapy [on] April 18, 2024, Respondent [McGirr] groped the breast and tweaked the nipples of Patient A. 

That, at all times during which the incident described in the paragraph(s) above took place, Respondent was practicing massage therapy at Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks in Newport, Rhode Island. 

After review of available evidence, the Director of Health has found reasonable cause to believe that Respondent is practicing in Violation of RI General Laws in this case, and finds that public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action."

McGirr's license was suspended in May. 

 

Owner's Involvement - Multiple Ties to Sexual Assaults

RIDOH had summarily suspended Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks owner Joslin for “discouraging [the victim] from reporting the incident to any third parties or authorities, by citing the negative impact it would have on Mr. McGirr’s personal relationships and upon Respondent’s business.” 

“Respondent did not contact the Rhode Island Department of Health to report this incident of misconduct by a licensed massage therapist operating in his facility,” wrote RIDOH in its action under "findings of fact."

McGirr is presently facing second-degree sexual assault charges, according to court records.

RIDOH also noted a previous sexual assault at the business. 

“In November 2022, the Department investigated an allegation of sexual assault committed by an unlicensed massage therapist working at Bellevue Massage and Bodyworks while operated by the Respondent. The unlicensed massage therapist was later criminally charged with sexual assault,” wrote RIDOH. 

Court records show that Kevin Joslin was arrested and charged with felony sexual assault over the alleged incident.

That case is still ongoing and his trial is now scheduled for September 16.