Texas massage school license revoked over falsified records, human trafficking links
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The license of a North Texas massage academy was revoked after investigators found falsified attendance records and links to massage parlors closed for human trafficking, state officials said.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued an emergency order to immediately halt operations at the Greater DFW Intl Massage Academy, at 1105 E. Parker Road in Plano, and revoke its massage school license, according to a news release.
Investigators found that the school failed to terminate students “who had not accrued any clock hours for months, granted academic credit before students obtained required massage student permits, and submitted records showing attendance and hours for time periods that had not yet occurred,” according to the release.
The school’s practices allegedly enabled students to obtain massage therapy licenses without completing required training, officials said.
Investigators also identified individuals associated with the school and illicit massage parlors that were closed due to suspected human trafficking, officials said.
“Massage therapy is a respected profession that plays an important role in the health and wellness of Texans,” said Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Executive Director Courtney Arbour in the release. “We will not tolerate fraudulent conduct that undermines that profession or puts the public at risk. At the same time, we are committed to supporting students who followed the law and holding bad actors accountable.”
This is an “ongoing effort to combat human trafficking and shut down illicit massage businesses operating under the guise of legitimate establishments,” the release stated. Earlier this year, the license of ELM Health Institute LLC in Hurst also was revoked for falsifying academic records and links to massage parlors closed for human trafficking, state officials said.