St. Paul chiropractor accused of sexually touching employee

A St. Paul chiropractor has been accused of molesting a 20-year-old woman who worked for him for the past three years at Phalen Chiropractic.

Dr. Christopher C. Thaemert, 43, of Hugo, is accused of touching the victim inappropriately while giving her a massage last Thursday and later sending her text messages telling her he was "so sorry about today. ... I'm so stupid for losing control," according to court documents filed Wednesday.

Thaemert was charged in Ramsey County District Court with felony fourth- and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the complaint, the victim told police she was alone with Thaemert at the chiropractic office at 1385 Maryland Av. E. on Thursday afternoon when he offered to give her a massage.

"She agreed because Dr. Thaemert had never been inappropriate before," the documents said.

The woman told police she "just froze" when the chiropractor began kissing her thighs and repeatedly touching her over her underwear, the complaint said.

When she asked, "Dr. Thaemert, what are you doing?" the chiropractor responded, "Sorry, I couldn't resist," the complaint said.

The woman told another female employee who came to work that afternoon what had happened. That evening, Thaemert sent the victim a text message saying "I feel very bad for making you uncomfortable and I regret it. ... Will u forgive me please...."

On Monday morning, Thaemert sent more text messages to the woman saying "How r u doing? I just wanted u to know that I will do whatever u want or whatever u need. Please text me. I can't tell u how bad I feel for messing thi[s]."

When police questioned Thaemert, he admitted giving the woman a massage but denied touching her inappropriately. He was arrested and later called the woman's relative from the Ramsey County jail, telling her to tell the victim "he regrets what he did but she has to take it back because he is going to lose his home and she [the relative] is also going to lose her home," the complaint said.

The complaint also said Thaemert is married and has four children. Police found photos of the victim and her relative in his office but no photos of his family. Investigators also found two guns in his office, court documents said.

Thaemert is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners and could face disciplinary action if he is convicted, said Dr. Larry Spicer, executive director of the board.