LaRae Lundeen Fjellman could lose her state license as a massage therapist for having sexual relations with her husband.
Her husband, Kirk Fjellman, is a former client. He saw her professionally from October 2000 to May 2002, and the two say they started dating in July 2002. But when they consummated the relationship a few months later, they ran afoul of a Minnesota law that bans massage therapists from having sexual relations with former clients for two years.
"There's no harm, no victim," Kirk Fjellman said. "What's this about?"
The case is before a judge and could be decided this month, with LaRae Fjellman facing a fine and possibly loss of her license. The outcome could have implications for the private lives of an array of alternative health care providers.
Documents filed by the Department of Health say the therapist clearly violated the state law, passed by the Legislature in 2000. LaRae Fjellman does not deny she violated the statute but said she didn't know it existed until the state came knocking.