A St. Paul chiropractor convicted of sexually touching a 20-year-old female employee while giving her a massage has been sentenced to 90 days in the Ramsey County workhouse.

Christopher Thaemert, 43, of Hugo, faced up to a year in prison as result of the July 2008 incident, during which the victim -- a three-year clinic employee -- said that Thaemert kissed her up and down her leg and repeatedly ran his hand over her private parts.

In imposing the 90-day sentence, District Judge William H. Leary rejected a request by defense attorney Earl Gray to sentence Thaemert instead to community service or electronic home monitoring.

But Leary agreed to allow Thaemert to participate in a work-release program, if approved by the workhouse.

Thaemert, who earlier this year signed a "stipulation to limit practice" agreeing not to treat any female without a third person in the room, will not be required to register as a predatory sex offender.

Gray told the judge that Thaemert needed to continue working to keep his East Side practice, which the attorney said had suffered as result of the publicity, and to support his family, which includes a wife and four children. The attorney added: "His family life has not been real pleasant."

Thaemert can't have contact with the victim or her family, unless required to take part in proceedings tied to possible civil litigation against him.

As of Thursday, there was no record of any lawsuit being filed.

ANTHONY LONETREE