Police: Masseur, 71, charged with sexual battery on female client

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HALLANDALE BEACH – The state-licensed massage therapist said the technique he used on a woman client was, “in accordance with Chinese massage principals.” But police called it sexual battery.

Lung B. Chang, 71, of Hollywood, is accused of inappropriately touching the client while performing a massage at the Ocean Drive Chiropractic and Wellness Center, said Hallandale Beach police.

According to the arrest report, she went for a myofascial release massage about 11 a.m., April 30, 2018, at 1801 S. Ocean Drive.

The client took off most of her clothes, as Chang instructed, and lay face down on the massage table. After a while, he had her turn over and started touching her pelvic area, asking, “can I release your energy?”

The client said, “No, this is not the type of massage I came here for,” but Chang replied, “This is where the pain is coming from and the energy has to be released,” the arrest report stated. When he continued to touch her sexually, she kicked him, cursed, ordered him out of the room, got dressed, and went to manager Mariana Sudakov, investigators said.

The next day she met with the manager and her husband, the center’s owner, Dr. Lev Sudakov

Chang who showed her Chang’s Florida Health License and asked if Chang should be fired. The client said, “Yes,” the report stated.

More than a week passed before the client reported the incident to police. She said she would have reported it sooner but she was, “suffering emotional distress from the incident,” police said.

There were no signs of physical injury and no surveillance video in the therapy room where the massage was given but the investigation continued.

On Sept. 19, a detective contacted the woman and told her he learned Chang was working at the Wellness Center again and was also the subject of another criminal investigation, so she decided to file charges.

Chang was arrested Thursday and charged with sexual battery without using great force. At his first court appearance Friday, bond was set at $25,000 and he was released from the Broward County Jail, records show.

The Sudakovs declined to comment for this story, according to a person who answered the phone at their Wellness Center Friday. The Sun Sentinel does not name the alleged victims of sexual assaults.

Corey Hixon and his Mom, Debbi Hixon, along with Montel Williams and Natalie Hixon wave to the crowd gathered Friday in the front yard of their Hollywood home. The TV show Military Makeover renovated the home of Debbi Hixon, wife of the late Chris Hixon, Athletic Director and Wrestling Coach at MSD High School, and 27-year military veteran. Friends and neighbors greet Debbi Hixon and her son Corey as they arrive Friday at their Hollywood home.