A woman in New York has sued wellness app Soothe after claiming she was raped by a masseur who came to her home for the appointment.
And now her lawyer has claimed the woman was not the massage therapist's first victim.
The woman was bought a massage on the Soothe app by her husband for Valentine's Day as he was away. She has been identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, which was filed on Monday, August 1.
Soothe offers on-demand beauty services and massages in the home.
It is claimed that the masseur, who is thought to be operating under the fake name “Hernando Giraldo,” came to Doe's home where he then "sexually assaulted and raped her". He then fled Doe's home.
It is believed the masseur is still at large, as the lawsuit reports.
Speaking in a video statement with her face blurred to protect her identity, Doe said: "I’ve been traumatised by this event. Since he knows where I live, I have the fear of this monster returning to my home.
“I’ve entered therapy on my own dime and wake up a million times at night at the slightest sound, this fear of another attack."
The lawsuit was filed against Soothe Inc and Evident ID at the state Supreme Court in Brooklyn. Evident ID, based in Georgia, conducts criminal checks for the app service.
Both companies have been accused of negligence and negligent hiring as well as supervision of employees, therefore resulting in failure to protect clients.
According to Doe's attorney, Nathan Werksman, said the masseur was a "sexual predator" who “had been previously arrested for sexually assaulting another female Soothe customer". He said this information had come from the New York City Police Department.
Police said they can't comment on the incident, including the suspect's name and where the alleged assault happened.
According to the suit, Evident ID and Soothe should have realised Giraldo wasn't the suspect's real name and that he had previously sexually assaulted a customer.
Doe is seeking unspecified damages due to “serious personal injuries, emotional distress, mental pain and suffering".
New York Police have confirmed that a report for rape was filed on February 14 in the 81st Precinct in northern Brooklyn.
No-one has been arrested at this stage and the investigation continues.
