A BC acupuncturist who failed to make sure his employees were not engaging in sex work has been found liable for professional misconduct.

According to a May 21 College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC decision, registered acupuncturist Yin-Jen Hsu, who goes by the name Benson, didn’t investigate even though he had reason to believe employees were providing sexual services.

The College said in the decision it proved numerous allegations against the acupuncturist during a hearing in February.

The College found that between 2017 and 2022 he failed to take steps to make sure his employees at Yoho Body Care clinic in Richmond weren’t in the sex trade.

In May 2022, Benson also issued a receipt for acupuncture to an undercover investigator who attended the clinic for a massage. The College said about once or twice a month, Benson would give out acupuncture receipts after a massage and charge clients a $15 fee for doing so.

The College also found he stored used acupuncture needles in an overflowing and open jar and took the needles home, instead of using a licensed medical waste company to remove them.

“Your methods of disposing of used acupuncture needles… also constituted a violation of a standard respecting the practice of acupuncture,” reads a Jan. 19 citation.

College records show Benson was first licensed in BC in 2014.

The College also found he didn’t keep adequate patient health records and patient consent to treatment forms, and failed to keep a daily appointment log.

The regulator found that Benson’s actions constituted professional misconduct.

The College said the appropriate penalty will be decided at a later date.