Donald Whitman, the former Vice President of the nonprofit Bras for a Cause as well as the Viera medspa, Achieve Beautiful Skin, was arrested after an employee at the time alleged she was sexually battered at his home. According to the allegations, Mr. Whitman created a ‘special’ drink for her and then took advantage of her when she became incapacitated. The employee was at the Whitman residence at the invitation of her employer, Jeanne Whitman, Donald Whitman’s wife.
Jeanne Whitman (left) and Donald Whitman (Facebook image)
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Bras for a Cause is a nonprofit focused on preventing and bringing awareness to human and sex trafficking. Its mission statement on its website says in part, “We are committed to working together to prevent the exploitation of men, women, and children for sex and labor trafficking and to assist those in our community that have fallen victim to this horrific crime.“
The organization voluntarily dissolved itself just 2 days after Donald Whitman’s arrest on January 10, 2023.
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According to the arrest affidavit, an employee of Achieve Beautiful Skin was invited to the owners, Jeanne and Donald Whitman’s home on the evening of January 4, 2023. It states that they had some wine and a small amount of marijuana while relaxing in the living room after eating dinner. The victim stated that Donald brought her a mixed pink drink and told her to try it. When she asked what it was, he stated, “Just try it.”
After taking a few sips, the victim stated it was too strong and tasted weird, yet Donald continued to encourage her to drink it. She told him to try it, which he refused, saying he made it special for her. She then gave it to Jeanne and asked her to taste it. Jeanne took several gulps and agreed it was too strong and tasted weird. The victim stated that within minutes, Jeanne was dead asleep, and she could not wake her up.
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At that time, the employee began to feel “weird” herself but thought it would soon pass. Donald, who was sitting next to her, then began to caress her skin and face, and eventually began groping her breast for an extended period of time, according to her. Her eyes were closed because she was not feeling well, but she was aware of what he was doing and repeatedly asked him to stop. She said he would stop for a few minutes, and then begin again.
She then told him that she was going to vomit, and he brought her a trash can from the kitchen, which she began to violently vomit into. She says that during that time, he continued to touch and rub on her, and she continued to tell him to stop.
Donald Whitman then escorted his wife to the bedroom and returned back to the living room alone. The employe stated that Mr. Whitman began talking about the things he wanted to do to her and denigrated her fiancé. At that time, she says that Donald got on the floor between her legs and began to touch her vagina under her panties, and stated he wanted to perform oral sex on her.
After some time, the employee was able to move away from Donald Whitman and send a text message to a coworker to come pick her up. The message said, “I need you. Like 911 need you. Please come straight inside like through the garage. Are you close?”
She told Donald she wanted to leave and needed 20 minutes and some water. Donald brought her the same pink mixed drink, which she refused. He eventually brought her a can of sparkling water and poured it into her mouth. When she tried to back away, he continued to pour until she began gagging and choking. She stated that she immediately got sick again. She told him she wanted to leave, and he said that she couldn’t drive in that condition and he would take her wherever she needed to go. She said she’d rather end up in a ditch than go anywhere with him.
Shortly thereafter, her coworker showed up and took her away.
The next day at work, Jeanne asked her if she was ok and, “Did Donald touch you?” Jeanne then made comments indicating that she suspected Donald had done something similar in the past with a neighbor. Jeanne stated in text messages later that Donald denied everything.
The victim then called the police and told them what happened. She was taken to Rockledge Regional Hospital to have her blood drawn to check for what drugs she may have been given. After an hour and a half wait, they would only do a urine sample. The hospital later cancelled the toxicology screen without the patient’s knowledge, and no conclusions could be made.
The police conducted a recorded phone call where the victim called Donald and he admitted to the behavior, stating that he “crossed the line,” had too much to drink, and that he needs to stop drinking. The called ended with Donald saying “well hopefully you can get passed this.” When questioned directly by police, Donald stated that he was not attracted to the victim because she “is built like a 12-year-old boy” and that he prefers voluptuous women.
At the conclusion of the sexual battery investigation, Donald Whitman was arrested for battery based on the evidence and his own statements during the recorded call.
When the victim notified Jeanne that she had called the police, she was immediately fired and her final paycheck was withheld.
As a result of the Whitman’s conduct, the victim has has filed a civil lawsuit against Donald Whitman, Jeanne Whitman, and her employer, the medspa Achieve Beautiful Skin.
The Whitmans have been fighting the lawsuit vigorously. The attorney for Jeanne Whitman, Joseph Wood, stated in a legal filing that the victim was responsible for the incident due to her own negligence in being intoxicated.
We reached out to Jeanne and Donald Whitman separately for comment. Both of them read the messages but did not respond. Donald later responded instructing us to reach out to his attornies. When and if they respond, we will update the article. The criminal and civil cases are both ongoing.
