BELLINGHAM, WA – (KGMI.com) A Whatcom County mental health counselor had his license suspended last month after being charged with unprofessional conduct.

The state Department of Health says 42-year-old Lazarus Wentz had romantic relationships with two of his patients between March 2019 and Dec. 2021.

Wentz is accused of touching them in a sexual manner during separate therapy sessions in a public place.

He’s also alleged to have disclosed other patients’ identity and treatment information.

The Department of Health suspended his counselor licenses for at least five years.

Wentz must pay a $2,000 fine, pass an ethics course and undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation before he is reinstated.

He is also facing separate charges in connection to a domestic violence incident with his former girlfriend at her Everson residence in July.