(Trigger warning: This story contains details of sexual assault)
A doctor who works for the Veterans Affairs in Dekalb, Georgia faces four counts of sexual assault against female patients.
WSB reports 68-year-old Rajesh Motibhai Patel is accused of improperly touching four women under his care during their examinations.
Prosecutors say he groped their breasts and improperly touched their vaginal area.
The incidents allegedly happened between 2019 and 2020 and authorities suspect there may be more victims that have not come forward.
Stripes.com reports Patel has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
“Veterans and their families expect and deserve the highest quality of health care delivered in a safe and accountable setting,” said VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal in a statement.“The VA Office of Inspector General is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of those who entrust their health care to the providers and staff at VA’s 1,200 medical facilities.”
The VA says it reassigned Patel to a position with no interaction with patients shortly after the accusations surfaced.
He worked with the VA as a primary care physician from 2015 until 2020, according to court documents.
Anyone with more information is urged to call the VA Tipline at 770-758-6646.
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