MINT HILL, N.C. – A woman is suing a Mint Hill chiropractor who she claims had her undress and undergo a chiropractic exam when she applied for a job.
Carrie Jenkins, 27, from Monroe, says in her complaint that she had applied for a job with Dr. Keith Helmendach at the Charlotte Spine and Pain Relief Center in Mint Hill in September of 2014. She says after completing one interview, Helmendach called her back for a second interview.
That interview was scheduled for September 6, on a Saturday when the office was closed. She says Helmendach had her come to the office on a Saturday because that was when he would have free time to interview her.
Jenkins said she arrived at the office at 1:00 that afternoon.
“He was glad I could make it. He actually let his wife have the day off, so he was going to do the interview,” Jenkins said.
The lawsuit, filed on her behalf by Attorney Kevin Murphy alleges, “Dr. Helmendach then exploited this opportunity to be alone with Carrie to transform her interview into his own sexual fantasy.”
Jenkins says Helmendach then suggested she undergo a chiropractic exam so she would be able to explain the procedure to patients if she did get the job.
Having never been to a chiropractor, Jenkins said she agreed.
“So he gave me a gown and told me to undress and put the gown on. I said, ‘OK,’ and he said, ‘make sure you take everything off.’”
Again, she says, she agreed, having no idea of what was normal procedure for such an exam.
The suit alleges the doctor then had her perform a series of twists and turns before “asking her to drop the gown and complete the examination completely nude.”
Jenkins told NBC Charlotte she complied with the request.
“I feel, like, awful, but I did. I trusted him,” said Jenkins.
But she said she knew something was very wrong when she claims the doctor then propositioned her for sex in the exam room.
She said she got her clothes, put them on, and walked out and field a police report with Mint Hill Police. According to that report, no charges were brought against Helmendach.
“I believe the police say this was a civil matter and they would not be pursuing it any further,” said Jenkins’ attorney.
The attorney for Helmendach, Kathleen Lucchesi, said in a statement Helmendach denied the allegations and would fight “these meritless claims.”
Jenkins’ attorney said some might call this a case of he said-she said.
“Well, we are here to stand with Carrie and to say that this is not the end of the story and the truth is the truth,” Murphy said.
Helmendanch’s attorney said he would not speak on camera about the case, but said in a statement:
“Ms. Jenkins has continuously demanded that Dr. Helmendach pay her money in order to avoid the embarrassment of being named in a lawsuit.”
Jenkins’ attorney says she wants a jury trial and is certain the truth will come out and the jury will believe her story.