Woman sues after massage

A woman has sued a Sugar Grove man and the massage establishment that employed him after a November 2008 incident in which the man exposed himself to her.

The woman filed the lawsuit in Kane County court, claiming pain, suffering and emotional distress.

She is seeking more than $50,000 in damages from Michael Tovrea, 24, and Heavenly Massage Inc.

The suit states Tovrea exposed himself to the woman while she was getting a message at a location at 1441 S. Randall Road, Geneva.

The suit alleges that Heavenly Massage employed Tovrea and is responsible for his actions. The suit argues Heavenly Massage was negligent because it failed to properly screen Tovrea and it failed to keep the woman safe.

Daniel Compton, the woman's lawyer, did not return repeated messages.

Tracy Cowan, an attorney representing Heavenly Massage, said he and his client had not been served with the lawsuit but added the spa chain has been in business for 13 years and that it does background checks on its employees and masseuses.

“They did so in this case,” Cowan said.

Tovrea was charged with aggravated battery, battery, obscenity and disorderly conduct.

The most serious charge was aggravated battery, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or probation.

Court records show that Tovrea pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in spring 2009, was fined $1,750 and ordered to undergo an evaluation as part of his probation.

But, according to court records, prosecutors are trying to revoke Tovrea's probation because he never showed up for the evaluation and has paid only half the fine.

Tovrea is due in court Dec. 3 for a hearing on whether his probation will be revoked. Attempts to reach Tovrea were unsuccessful. The case is set for an initial hearing before Judge Robert Spence on Feb. 10.