Washington health regulators have filed disciplinary charges against three Snohomish County health care providers accused of engaging in sexual misconduct involving clients or patients.
The allegations involve a licensed mental health counselor, a massage therapist, and a substance use disorder counselor, according to records released by the Washington State Department of Health.
In each case, state officials allege conduct that violated professional standards governing health care providers.
Counselor Accused Of Crossing Professional Boundaries
The Department of Health charged mental health counselor Carl Martin Golden III with unprofessional conduct in May.
State records allege Golden engaged in sexual misconduct while providing counseling services to a client between 2023 and February 2025.
According to the Department of Health, Golden allegedly discussed women he dated and his sexual activities during counseling sessions. Regulators also allege he suggested meeting with the client outside traditional office settings, including in nature.
The client reported those encounters felt more like dates than counseling sessions, according to state records.
Regulators further allege Golden told the client he had feelings for her and was “falling in love with” her. The state also alleges Golden told the client he sometimes wondered whether she would perform oral sex on him during their sessions.
The Department of Health alleges the conduct violated Washington rules governing sexual misconduct by health care providers.
State officials said the alleged violations provide grounds for disciplinary sanctions. No final action has been taken.
Arlington Massage Therapist Faces Allegations
The Department of Health also charged Arlington massage therapist James Broddy with unprofessional conduct.
According to state records, one allegation involves inadequate draping during a massage session in September 2024.
In a separate complaint, regulators allege Broddy obtained a client’s consent to use a partial-body drape while working near the gluteal area. The client later reported becoming uncomfortable during the session and raised concerns about the treatment, according to the charging documents.
“The client told Broddy was he was doing might be considered sexual harassment, to which he replied by saying that he is a ‘monster,” the health department wrote.
Broddy is also accused of repeatedly touching the client’s arm and head with his erect penis, according to the health department.
State regulators concluded the allegations, if proven, would constitute unprofessional conduct under Washington law.
No final disciplinary action has been issued, and Broddy has the opportunity to respond to and contest the allegations.
Counselor Accused Of Sending Explicit Messages To Former Client
A third case involves Christopher Dean Pugh, who holds credentials as a mental health counselor and substance use disorder professional.
According to the Department of Health, Pugh provided counseling services to a client at a Bellevue-area drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility between March and July 2025.
The state alleges Pugh continued seeing the client privately after the client was discharged from the facility.
Regulators further allege that in August 2025, Pugh sent the former client text messages containing sexual statements, along with a photograph and video depicting his genitals.
The Department of Health alleges those actions constitute unprofessional conduct and sexual misconduct under state regulations governing counselors and substance use disorder professionals.
The agency is seeking disciplinary action against Pugh’s professional credentials.
Investigations Ongoing
The allegations were disclosed as part of a statewide disciplinary report released by the Department of Health on June 4.
The department said all three cases remain pending. No final findings have been made, and no sanctions have been imposed at this stage.
Possible outcomes in disciplinary cases can include probation, fines, suspension, restrictions on practice, mandatory training, or license revocation.
Each provider is entitled to challenge the allegations before any final action is taken.
