disciplinary action


Case # 02-020 Respondent: Melvin E. Knoblett Date: August 22, 2003
Allegation: Mr. Knoblett violated Ala. Code §§ 34-43-15 (a) (3) (2002) and Administrative Code Rules 532-X-3-.04 (5) (i), 532-X-5-.03 (1) (d), and 532-X-7-.01 (1) (i) by engaging in unprofessional conduct likely to endanger the public health, safety, and welfare at the Bodywork Center for Therapeutic Care in Birmingham, Alabama by exposing the breasts of a female client while utilizing improper draping techniques and touching the breasts, nipples, buttocks, and genitalia of a female client during the course of a massage.

Board action: Following an administrative hearing on these charges, the Board revoked Mr. Knoblett’s massage therapist license, and he was assessed a fine of $10,000.00. Mr. Knoblett has surrendered his license, and it is now in the possession of the Board.

Case # 01-039 Respondent: Lisa M. Gillem Date: December 4, 2001
Allegation: Ms. Gillem violated Ala. Code Sections 34-43-11(b), 34-43-8(b) and 34-43-15(a) (5) (1997) and Administrative Code Rule 532-X-5-.03 (1) (c) by employing an unlicensed massage therapist at Oasis Spa in Madison, Alabama to provide massage therapy services; by permitting the performance of sexual acts on said premises in the course of practicing massage therapy; and by violating or aiding and abetting in the violation of the Massage Therapy Act by said acts, having been duly licensed by the Board.

Board Action: Ms. Gillem entered into a Consent Order with the Board regarding the alleged violations. Pursuant to said consent order, Ms. Gillem was fined $3,500 for these violations and she has voluntarily relinquished her massage therapy establishment license and her personal massage therapist license. The fine has been paid in full, and both licenses are in the possession of the Board.

Case # 02-002 Respondent: Jeffrey S. Britan Date: May 21, 2002
Allegation: Mr. Britan violated Ala. Code Section 34-43-15(a)(3) (1997) and Administrative Code Rules 532-X-3-.04(5)(I), 532-X-5-.03(1)(d), and 532-X-7-.01(1)(I) by engaging in unprofessional conduct likely to endanger the public, health, safety, and welfare at the Great Looks Hair Center in Millbrook, Alabama by massaging the breasts of female clients and failing to follow proper draping procedures at all times during massage of female clients.

Board Action: Following an administrative hearing on the Board’s charges, Mr. Britan’s Massage Therapist license was revoked by the Board. Mr. Britan has surrendered his license, and it is now in the possession of the Board.

Case #02-009 Respondent: Jeffrey S. Britan Date: September 13, 2002
Allegation: Mr. Britan violated Ala. Code Sections 34-43-4(3) and 34-43-8(a) (1997) and Administrative Code Rule 532-X-5-.03(1)(h) by practicing massage therapy at the Great Looks Hair Center in Millbrook, Alabama with a revoked license or without a valid massage therapy license issued by this Board.

Board Action: Mr. Britan entered into a Consent Order with this Board in which he admitted to the practice of massage therapy with a revoked license but the confusion over the effective date of the revocation. Mr. Britan was assessed a fine of $1,000 for said violation.

Case # 01-002 Respondent: Janet Lee Date: January 26, 2001
Allegation: Ms. Lee violated Ala. Code S 34-43-11(a), 34-43-11(b) and 34-43-15(a)(5) (1975) by operating a massage therapy establishment without having obtained a massage establishment license from the Board, specifically the Kings Spa in Guntersville, Alabama; by employing unlicensed massage therapists in said establishment to perform massage therapy; and by violating or aiding and abetting in the violation of the Massage Therapy law by said acts, having been duly licensed by this Board.

Board Action: Ms. Lee was fined $1,000, placed on probation for one year from the date of this Order, and was denied an establishment license for one year from the date of this Order. The fine of $1,000 has been paid in full.

Case # 01-001 Respondent: Kuk Hyuang Welchel Date: March 22, 2001
Allegation: Ms. Whelchel violated Ala. Code S 34-43-11 (a) and (b) (1975) by operating King’s Health Spa in Dothan, Alabama without obtaining a massage establishment license from the Board and employing an unlicensed massage therapist in said establishment to provide massage therapy services.

Board Action: Ms. Whelchel was fined $3,500 for said violations, $1,000 of said fine is due and payable to the Board within thirty (30) days from the date of the Consent Order; the remaining $2,500 will be probated by the Board for one year from the date of the Consent Order, contingent on Ms. Whelchel’s compliance with the provisions of the Alabama law and rules and regulations pertaining to this Board. The fine of $1,000 has been paid in full.

Case # 01-001 Respondent: Aiko Nizato Moore Date: March 22, 2001
Allegation: Ms. Moore violated Ala. Code S 34-43-4(3) and 34-43-8(a) (1975) by practicing massage therapy at the establishment known as the Magic Center Spa, owned by Mr. Steven Langston, in Valley, Alabama, without having first obtained a massage therapist license from the Board.

Board Action: Ms. Moore was fined $2,000 for said violations, $750 of said fine is due and payable to the Board within thirty (30) days from the date of this Consent Order; the remaining $1,250 will be probated by the Board for one year from the date of this Order, contingent on Ms. Moore’s compliance with the provisions of Alabama law and the rules and regulations pertaining to this Board. The fine of $750 has been paid in full.

Case # 01-001 Respondent: Steven D. Langston Date: March 22, 2001
Allegation: Mr. Langston violated Ala. Code S 34-43-11(a) and (b)(1975) by operating a massage therapy establishment without having obtained an establishment license from the Board and by employing an unlicensed massage therapist in said establishment to provide massage therapy services.

Board Action: Mr. Langston was fined $5,000 for said violations; $1500 of said fine is due and payable to the Board within thirty (30) days from the date of this Consent Order; the remaining $3,500 will be probated by the Board for one year from the date of this Order, contingent on Mr. Langston’s compliance with the provisions of Alabama law and the rules and regulations pertaining to this Board. The fine of $1,500 has been paid in full.

Case # 01-012 Respondent: Judy Batson Date: March 16, 2001
Allegation: Ms. Batson violated Ala. Code S 34-43-11(b)(1975) by employing unlicensed massage therapists to perform massage therapy services.
Board Action: Ms. Batson was fined $5,000 for said violations, placed on probation for one (1) year and asked for her resignation from the Board. Ms. Batson is currently making payments on her fine and has resigned from the Board.

Case # 01-026 Respondent: Melvin E. Knoblett Date: April 20, 2001
Allegation: Mr. Knoblett violated Ala. Code S 34-43-15(3)(1975) and Administrative Code Rule 532-X-7.01(1)(I) by engaging in unprofessional conduct likely to endanger the public welfare at the Bodywork Center for Therapeutic Care in Birmingham, Alabama, to-wit, massaging the inguinal areas of female clients and by failing to follow proper draping procedures at all times during massages.
Board Action: Mr. Knoblett was fined $2,000 for these violations, placed under one year probation and must complete sixteen (16) hours of instruction in addition to the sixteen (16) continuing education units required by this Board to maintain licensure, said hours of instruction to include the professional ethics of massage therapy, proper draping techniques and basic massage therapy techniques. The fine of $2,000 has been paid in full.

Case # 01-027 Respondent: Chom S. Meinke Date: January 26, 2001
Allegation: Ms. Meinke violated Ala. Code 34-43-11(a), 34-43-4(3), and 34-43-8(a)(1975) by operating a massage therapy establishment without having obtained an establishment license from the Board, specifically the New World Spa in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and by practicing massage therapy without having first obtained a massage therapist license from this Board.
Board Action: Ms. Meinke was fined $1,000. The fine of $1,000 has been paid in full.