St. Paul chiropractor faces criminal sexual conduct charges

Published: 2009-04-06 12:07:46
Author: PAT PHEIFER, Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 22, 2009

"I'm so sorry about today," the text message said. "I feel very bad for making you uncomfortable and I regret it. I'm so stupid for losing control. Will u forgive me please cuz I can"

The message was sent at 6:53 p.m. July 10 by Dr. Christopher Thaemert to a 20-year-old woman who had worked in his chiropractic office in St. Paul for three years. Early the next morning, that woman called police and reported that Thaemert had molested her while giving her a massage.

That allegation was repeated again Wednesday as Thaemert went on trial in Ramsey County District Court on charges of fourth- and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Prosecutor Steven Pfaffe told the jury during his opening statement that Thaemert sent the first apologetic text message and subsequent ones because he had touched the woman in a sexual way without her consent.

Defense attorney Earl Gray said Thaemert "made a mistake"; he kissed the woman on the ankle and calf, but he did not molest her. He apologized because he had embarrassed himself and her, Gray said.

"That ended it," he said. "That was that."

Since then, Gray added, the lawyer representing the alleged victim has demanded $250,000 to settle a lawsuit they filed against Thaemert, who lives in Hugo.

The woman who made the allegations was the first witness to take the stand. She said she had worked for Thaemert at Phalen Chiropractic since she was 17. Her aunt had worked there about 12 years.

Full story