Georgia doctor found guilty of sexually assaulting patient at Georgia facility

A jury found a primary care physician at the Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia, guilty of sexually assaulting a patient during a routine medical examination. The Justice Department announced Wednesday.

Dr. Rajesh Motibhai Patel, 69, of Lilburn, Georgia, was accused of sexually assaulting four patients during appointments between 2019 and 2020.

Patel, who worked at the hospital from December 2015 to February 2020, is charged with violating the “constitutional right to bodily integrity” of patients and unwanted sexual contact, according to court documents. On Tuesday he was acquitted of charges related to three victims but found guilty of abusing a fourth patient.

“Dr. Patel violated a physician’s cardinal rule of not harming patients under his care,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan said in a statement Wednesday. “The veterans who consulted him for treatment, like the victim in this case, trusted Dr. Patel, and he violated that trust.”

Patel is board certified in internal medicine and specializes in geriatric care, according to a database of National Provider Identification Numbers, which are used to identify health care providers.

The Atlanta VA Medical Center cares for approximately 130,000 patients. In January, a veteran experiencing a mental health crisis was shot and killed by Virginia State Police while brandishing a knife. No charges were filed in this incident.

The hospital closed its operating rooms for several weeks in August to deal with what it called a “limited influx” of flies in the wards, at a rate of two to three a day, according to media reports.

Patel’s case was investigated by the Virginia Office of Inspector General and the Department of Justice.

According to VA OIG, its Division of Investigations examines potential crimes and civil infractions committed by VA employees, contractors, patients and others at VA facilities and in VA programs and operations.

Such investigations may include healthcare, procurement, benefits, cybercrime, identity theft, embezzlement, violent crime and more.

Because the VA OIG does not have prosecutorial authority, investigations are referred to the Department of Justice for prosecution, as was warranted in the Patel case.

“The sentencing is an important step in the pursuit of justice for the sexual assault committed against a veteran who sought treatment at the VA Medical Center,” VA Inspector General Michael Missal said Wednesday. “VA employees are charged with ensuring the safety of our nation’s veterans while receiving medical care. Acts of violence against veterans at VA facilities are reprehensible and undermine that trust.”

Patel will be sentenced on February 20, according to the Justice Department.

“We hope his conviction will provide some healing for those affected by his crimes,” Buchanan said.

Connected: VA employee caught on camera beating and kicking veteran patient in the head

The story continues