AUSTIN, TEXAS — A woman has publicly alleged that her physical therapist sexually assaulted her during an appointment at a clinic in the Mueller neighborhood in early 2024, and the therapist was later arrested and lost his state license. She told FOX 7 Austin she decided to speak out to encourage other potential victims to report, describing the dynamic she said she felt in treatment: "Whenever you're in a medical setting, you feel extra vulnerable, and you feel like you trust everybody in that setting," the woman said. She said that trust was broken, adding, "It feels very much like you're frozen, you're scared, you don't know what to say at that moment," the woman said.
The accused therapist, Paul Lietz, 37, was arrested in March 2025 on a sexual assault charge, according to FOX 7 Austin, and a separate physical therapist, Manuel Rangel, was arrested in another case. The woman said she recorded a conversation during a final visit in April 2024 and reported her allegations to the company’s corporate office, prompting an internal investigation; she said Lietz was removed from the clinic, later returned under restrictions barring him from being alone with female patients, and then was terminated after another patient reported feeling uncomfortable. The woman said her goal was to prevent additional harm: "I didn't want it to happen to someone else," the woman said.
State licensing action followed. FOX 7 Austin reported the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners suspended Lietz’s license and found violations of practice standards, including allegations of sexual assault, sexual misconduct and causing emotional harm. The woman’s attorney said an earlier allegation at another facility in 2022 was closed without action: "Because it was nonspecific, there were no names and no details, they were unable to take action," the woman’s attorney, Maureen Farrell, said. Farrell added, "Shame and fear prevent people from coming forward, which then makes it possible for abusers to continue the abuse of other people," Farrell said.
The woman said she has not returned to physical therapy since the alleged assault and urged others to report, telling viewers, "I would just say be strong. You're not the only person going through this. You are not alone," the woman said. FOX 7 Austin reported she filed a civil lawsuit against Lietz and the clinic where he worked; Lietz’s attorney said in a phone call that the defense denies the allegations and plans to countersue for malicious prosecution if Lietz is acquitted. Under Texas Senate Bill 761, which took effect Sept. 1, 2025, survivors are entitled to at least five days’ notice before plea-bargain hearings and SAFE-ready facilities must allow an advocate during forensic exams or risk penalties, according to the Texas Legislature. For local support and reporting options, the City of Austin advises survivors to seek medical care, preserve evidence and consider making a police report; it directs minors to Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas for SANE services and people 17 and older to SafePlace. Police have not released a public case number; anyone with information can contact Austin police’s non-emergency line at 3-1-1, or 512-974-2000 outside city limits.
