A jury has found a Georgia doctor guilty of sexually assaulting a patient at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Rajesh Motibhai Patel, 69, a primary care physician at the VA Medical Center in Decatur, was convicted of violating a patient’s constitutional right to bodily integrity and engaging in unwanted sexual contact.
Patel was accused of sexually assaulting four female patients during routine exams between 2019 and 2020. The jury acquitted him of charges related to three of the victims but found him guilty of assaulting the fourth.
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“The verdict is an important step in seeking justice for a sexual assault committed against a veteran seeking care at a VA medical center,” said Michael J. Missal, Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs. “VA employees are entrusted with keeping our nation’s veterans safe while receiving care. Acts of violence against veterans in VA facilities are reprehensible and shatters that trust. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold anyone who would commit these crimes accountable.”
This case highlights the critical issue of sexual assault within healthcare settings and the importance of holding medical professionals accountable for their actions.
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Patel’s sentencing is scheduled for February 20, 2025. He faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, investigated the case.
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