The attorney for a Battle Ground massage therapist who’s accused of inappropriately touching two women says his client plans to fight the charges.
Eddie D. Anzalone, 47, appeared Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court to face allegations of second-degree rape and indecent liberties.
Although Anzalone has no prior criminal history, the prosecution requested his bail be set at $150,000, citing the nature of the allegations.
Vancouver attorney Jon McMullen, who appeared on Anzalone’s behalf, argued that his client has significant ties to the community — he’s married with children — and turned himself in to police. He requested a lower bail amount and said Anzalone plans to enter not-guilty pleas.
Still, Judge Suzan Clark granted the prosecution’s bail request but allowed Anzalone to set conditions for release. McMullen said Anzalone plans to post bail.
He will be arraigned April 9.
Anzalone was employed at Opdahl Chiropractic and Massage, 105 N. Parkway Ave., Battle Ground, but quit on March 1 after a client lodged a complaint against him with one of the clinic’s owners, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
The victim was in a vehicle collision in April 2018 and started receiving treatment for her injuries at Opdahl Chiropractic and Massage. Anzalone treated her. During a treatment session on Feb. 27, Anzalone placed his face “extremely close” to the woman’s, making her feel uncomfortable, the affidavit says.
Anzalone moved his hands under the towel covering the woman, massaged her breasts and asked, “Do you like it?” The woman said no and brought her arms up to protect herself. She then ended the appointment and asked to see another massage therapist for future appointments. Anzalone responded with, “Why are you going to fire me?” according to court records.
He then waited for the woman at the reception desk. She was unable to make a complaint with him standing there, she said, so she went home and called the owner, Monique Opdahl, court documents say.
Monique Opdahl questioned Anzalone about the allegations the following day and said he never denied them. He then contacted her March 1 and said he was quitting, according to the affidavit.
Investigators learned of a second victim while interviewing Monique Opdahl on March 8. Another client came into the clinic for one of her last appointments and found out Anzalone wasn’t there anymore. She wondered if he had been fired for inappropriately touching another client and then disclosed her complaint to Monique Opdahl, court records say.
The woman said that on Feb. 15, Anzalone brushed over her vaginal area, over the towel, with both hands. She said she was shocked but thought it was a mistake. She came back for another treatment session on Feb. 22 and was the last appointment of the day. There were no other employees in the office, and the front door to the business was locked so she would need to be let out afterward, court documents state.
Anzalone entered the treatment room and turned off the lights. Anzalone then inappropriately touched her vagina. She said she was scared and thought “nobody can hear me if I scream.” She told Anzalone she had to leave. He walked her to the door to let her out, and she said he never mentioned what happened, the affidavit says.
