More women allege sexual assault at KC spa joining 6 others, attorney says - Kansas City Star

[Laura Bauer]

Fusion Spa at 12931 Stateline Road in Kansas City on Feb. 25, 2025. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

More women have come forward alleging they were sexually assaulted during massages at a spa in south Kansas City.

In late February, The Star published a story online about two women who reported to police that a man sexually assaulted them as he gave them massages at Fusion Spa, 12931 Stateline Road. Four other women also reported a similar assault to police or the spa itself, and all six brought civil claims, which have been resolved.

Since that report, three more women have come forward with allegations, said Wes Shumate, a Kansas City civil attorney who represented the initial six women. Of the three that came forward in recent weeks, Shumate has spoken to two.

Their experiences were similar to the others, he said. One of the recent women to speak with Shumate said she was assaulted during a massage in 2017, which is the earliest incident in the timeline of accusations. Before her allegations, the incidents had occurred — according to the women — from January 2021 to August 2023.

“It’s all, a massage begins, and then boundary issues start being tested,” Shumate said. “Some stop earlier than others.”

Gui Jin Jiang, 65, who The Star learned is not a licensed massage therapist, is charged with two counts of second-degree sodomy and is expected in court later this month. He was scheduled to be arraigned last week, but did not appear in court, according to an online court database. That hearing is now set for April 21.

A probable cause affidavit describing the charges against Jiang show that during a police interview Jiang denied — through a translator — the allegations against him. A law enforcement officer said after he told Jiang “that he was being investigated for sexually assaulting multiple women while he massaged them, Jiang stated ‘No, there is no way that happened.’”

More charges could be filed as police and prosecutors continue to investigate.

Capt. Jacob Becchina, spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department, said one additional victim has filed a police report since late February.

“Detectives have been in touch with that victim and are actively investigating that case,” Becchina said. “Detectives have been in contact with prosecutors about this new case and everyone is in the loop as to any connection with previous cases, including the two that have already been charged.”

“... We anticipate an eventual submission of a case file for their consideration of potential charges.”

Sharing their stories​

Last July, Gui Jiang was charged with two counts of second-degree sodomy. But authorities didn’t arrest him until earlier this year. He was soon released on bond and later jailed after missing a hearing, online court records show. His bond was reinstated last month.

Jiang has been appointed a public defender. That attorney, Alexandra Valin, has declined to comment to The Star.

In total, nine women have now accused Jiang of assaulting them. One of the three women to recently come forward, Shumate said, reached out to Lila Kubas, who told police in May 2022 that Jiang sexually assaulted her. Reports by Kubas and Natasha Culp, who said she was assaulted in August 2023, led to Jiang being charged last July.


Lila Kubas, 23, said she is ready to fight back after she said she was sexually assaulted in May 2022 during a massage. Submitted photo


Kubas said she’s “disgusted and embarrassed” that police, lawmakers and the entire justice system hasn’t done more to protect women.

“I have lost complete hope with our justice system through this process,” Kubas said, “and no longer feel safe in our society. Everyone who has ever been violated sexually deserves better and to feel that they can report their attackers and it will be taken care of immediately, not two years (and counting) later.”

Becchina said he and others at the department “certainly appreciate those concerns” that Kubas and Culp have about the investigation. But, he said, it’s important to understand that each investigation is unique and “has to be worked on its own merits.” And in conjunction, he said, with the prosecutor’s office.

“While their frustration is understood it would likely be way more frustrating had police not taken the time to thoroughly and extensively complete all aspects of the investigation needed to secure charges and risked losing the opportunity for the case to ever (have) been charged,” he said.

“Our investigators’ standard is always quality and thoroughness ahead of expediency to ensure the best possible case for prosecutors to charge, and simultaneously the best opportunity for justice for the victims.”

Culp contacted Shumate soon after she said she was assaulted. At the time, she needed help navigating the progress. While investigating Culp’s case, Shumate found out about Kubas’ alleged assault.

“If they had not come forward, and investigators started looking into things, we wouldn’t have been able to help anybody else, and he would never have been in jail for this,” Shumate said. “He would still be there (at the spa) doing it.”

Still waiting for the state​

Both Kubas and Culp said they shared their stories, in part, to make others who have been assaulted know they aren’t alone.

“It was really the only way that we felt like we had a voice,” Culp said. “In order for us to heal, we needed to share our story, and in return, that brought forth people that shared their story. And I think that at the end of the day, that’s what we want, is to create a space where people feel safe enough to talk about this and not carry the shame around.”


Natasha Culp, 33, has gone back to school to become a therapist so she can help others, like her, who have been sexually assaulted. Submitted photo


The hope, she said, is to continue to spread awareness.

“And maybe at that point, if enough people speak up, then something will ultimately change in the system,” Culp said. “It has to.”

Kubas said she encourages survivors to report their assaults to police and to “expect nothing criminally to come from that report except evidence for your civil case.” Then, she advised, they should find a lawyer that can handle their case and “push for law enforcement to do more.”

“I am so so sorry to the other women who this has happened to,” Kubas said, “And I am praying for your peace, strength and safety through this process.”

She and Culp continue to wait for word from the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage or Division of Professional Registration. Culp said she received a note at one point telling her that someone would reach out to tell her when there was a decision about Fusion Spa and its license. Still nothing.

“No phone calls, no emails, nothing. No letters in the mail,” Culp said. “It is frustrating that it’s still not shut down.”

This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

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Laura Bauer

The Kansas City Star

Laura Bauer, who came to The Kansas City Star in 2005, focuses on investigative and watchdog journalism. In her 30-year career, Laura has won numerous national awards for coverage of human trafficking, child welfare, crime and government secrecy.