The co-owner of an addiction treatment centre in Etobicoke is accused of sexually assaulting a client who sought his help beating an addiction.

Police allege that Erick Bouaziz, 37, of Toronto, used his position of authority to obtain sexual favours from a client in September 2015.

On Thursday, police charged him with sexual assault and sexual exploitation.

Bouaziz is the co-owner and director of the Academy Addiction Treatment Centre at 3 Warrendale Court.

In previous Toronto media articles, Bouaziz explained how he fell into a downward spiral of drug addiction in his early 20s before getting clean. He went back to school, earning a degree in addictions counselling before opening the centre near Kipling Avenue and Albion Road in December 2014.

The Academy Centre’s website states: “We provide a warm, caring atmosphere, and a safe place for you or your loved one to receive treatment for drug addiction or alcohol addiction.”

Bouaziz made a court appearance on Friday and was released on bail.

He can still work at the Academy as long as he isn’t in the direct company of any female patients without a co-worker present.

He’ll be back in court on January 8.