A Whatcom County mental health counselor has lost his license for allegedly soliciting sexual favors from two patients, according to the Washington Department of Health reports.

In November, the Secretary of Health suspended the mental health counselor associate and registered agency-affiliated counselor licenses of Lazarus Augustine Wentz for at least five years, the Department of Health (DOH) reports.

Between March 2019 and December 2021, Wentz allegedly solicited sexual favors from two female patients, according to the DOH. This included, but was not limited to, requesting the two patients send topless photos of themselves to him and holding sexually-charged therapy sessions at a public park, the DOH reports further.

Based on the DOH’s investigation, Wentz allegedly entered romantic relationships with the two patients and engaged in inappropriate sexual activity during the aforementioned public therapy sessions.

Wentz also disclosed the identity and treatment information of other patients, the DOH alleges.

Before petitioning for reinstatement, Wentz must pay a $2,000 fine, pass an ethics course, and undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation, the DOH reports.