New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy Permanently Revokes License of Massage Therapist for Alleged Sexual Misconduct Against Clients

New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy Permanently Revokes License of Massage Therapist for Alleged Sexual Misconduct Against Clients

New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy Permanently Revokes License of Massage Therapist for Alleged Sexual Misconduct Against Clients

by NJOAG Communications WC | Apr 23, 2026 | chiropractic | Division of Consumer Affairs | East Rutherford | inappropriate and unwanted sexual contact | License revocation | New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy | North Jersey massage therapist | physical therapy | spa | Wayne | Division of Consumer Affairs | Division of Law | Press Release | Sexual Assault Victims |

For Immediate Release: April 23, 2026

Office of The Attorney General
– Jennifer Davenport, Attorney General
Division of Consumer Affairs – Jeremy E. Hollander, Acting Director Division of Law – Michael C. Walters, Director

For Further Information:

Media Inquiries-
Lisa Coryell
OAGpress@njoag.gov

** Consent Order

TRENTON – Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced today that the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy (“Board”) has permanently revoked the license of a North Jersey massage therapist amid allegations he engaged in inappropriate and unwanted sexual contact with female clients during massage sessions at two separate workplaces.

Pedro “Chris” Castillo is permanently barred from working as a massage therapist in New Jersey under an agreement he entered into with the Board to resolve allegations that he engaged in inappropriate conduct with clients during massage sessions at a multidisciplinary chiropractic, physical therapy, and massage practice in Wayne and at a spa in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“No one should ever have to fear being sexually exploited by a massage therapist. Individuals who seek massage therapy should be able to trust they will be treated with dignity and respect – nothing less,” said Attorney General Davenport. “My office will hold accountable anyone who exploits that trust and puts clients in grave danger by taking advantage of them sexually while they are at their most vulnerable.”

“Misconduct by massage therapists is a profound violation of their ethical and professional responsibilities,” said Jeremy Hollander, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “To ensure client safety and protect the integrity of New Jersey’s massage therapy industry, we will continue to investigate and root out this reprehensible conduct.”

According to a Consent Order filed with the Board, multiple females, including a then-nineteen-year-old client, alleged that Castillo inappropriately exposed their intimate body parts by improperly draping the privacy sheet over them, touched their intimate body parts in a sexual manner, rubbed his private parts against clients’ bodies, and, in one case, solicited sexual contact from them.

Specifically, Castillo inappropriately exposed their intimate body parts; intentionally and inappropriately touched several clients’ buttocks, breasts and vaginas; and in one case solicited sexual contact by placing a client’s hand on his erect penis.

The Board found that Castillo violated New Jersey’s law governing professional conduct by, among other things, engaging in gross negligence that endangered the health and safety of his clients, repeated acts of negligence, and professional misconduct. The Board further found that Castillo violated Board rules prohibiting sexual misconduct by a massage therapist.

To resolve the matter, Castillo will permanently surrender his license to practice massage therapy in New Jersey, with no possibility to reapply for licensure in the future.

Under the terms set forth in the Consent Order, Castillo must cease and desist from all client contact at any location and from rendering any type of massage services, including, but not limited to, training other massage therapists. He is also barred from entering the premises of the businesses or practices where he previously worked as a licensee during business hours when clients may be present.

The State was represented in this matter by Deputy Attorney General Michelle Mikelberg, under the supervision of Section Chief Doreen A. Hafner, of the Professional Boards Prosecution Section, within the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group of the Division of Law. Investigators with the Enforcement Bureau within the Division of Consumer Affairs conducted the investigation.

Anyone who believes that they have been treated in an inappropriate manner by a licensed professional can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

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