People v. Bunyad CA1/5

BACKGROUND

A.

In October 2014, Jane Doe One was 16 years old and played high school basketball. She started seeing Bunyad frequently— for chiropractic treatment of a torn shoulder tendon and spinal issues related to scoliosis and a (later) car accident. At almost every appointment, Bunyad massaged Doe One’s bicep, taped her

1 shoulder with kinesiology tape, and adjusted her spine, ribs, and neck.

Initially, Doe One’s mother accompanied her to appointments. On those occasions, Bunyad left the treatment room door open, and Doe One remained clothed in her sports bra and tank top while he adjusted her. For rib adjustments, Bunyad stood behind Doe One, put his arms around her, felt her chest above and below her breasts, by placing his hands over her shirt and bra, to see if there any ribs were out of place. He then lifted her up as she leaned backwards and would “pop” her ribs back into place.

After Doe One got her driver’s license (in November 2014), she went to appointments alone and Bunyad changed his methods. He began closing the door to the treatment room and, during rib adjustments, began to “grab” Doe One’s breasts and “manipulate them” (still with his hand over her shirt…