A Florida-based gastroenterologist was arrested Jan. 5 and charged with a felony count of sexual battery for allegedly sexually assaulting an unconscious female patient during a colonoscopy at HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers, according to a report from News-Press.
Here are five things to know.
1. The alleged incident occurred in last May when Asif Choudhury, MD, an independent practitioner, allegedly inserted his fingers into a patient's vagina twice during the procedure. A witness reported the incident to supervisors, according to a report from NBC-2. However, the incident was not reported to authorities until November. Mary Briggs, a spokesperson for Fort Myers-based Lee Health, which encompasses HealthPark Medical Center, told News-Press the delay was the result of "a gap in communication to the individuals who are responsible for reporting."
2. Dr. Choudhury's 30-plus-page arrest warrant, obtained by the News-Press and NBC-2, details an investigation into the physician's conduct dating back to last summer. The document lists accusations of similar assaults allegedly perpetrated by Dr. Choudhury at the Riverwalk Endoscopy Center in Fort Myers last June and on multiple occasions between 2008 and 2013.
3. A witness told detectives they saw Dr. Choudhury insert his fingers into two different patient's vaginas during colonoscopies on June 15, according to NBC-2. A former Riverwalk employee told police he saw the gastroenterologist commit 10 to 15 similar sexual assaults between 2008 and 2013. After he reported the incidents, the former employee said the physician approached him and said "I know a lot of people … if something were to happen where you needed a reference or another job somewhere, you may not be able to get another job in the medical field," according to the arrest warrant cited by News-Press.
4. Dr. Choudhury denied the allegations and told investigators: "based on his proximity to the vagina there is a high chance a witness could misunderstand his actions if they are not familiar with his technique, which is very different than any other doctor," according to the News-Press.
5. The physician was released from jail Jan. 6 on $150,000 bond. A judge ordered Dr. Choudhury to cease performing colonoscopies and told him he could no longer practice at Lee Health facilities. The physician's two private practices were closed Monday, according to NBC-2.
"Dr. Choudhury is not practicing at any Lee Health facility. This is an active criminal case so we cannot comment further at this time," Ms. Briggs told Becker's via email. "The safety and well-being of our patients is our highest priority. … The alleged incident was reported because an employee spoke up. We thank our staff for their efforts to protect our patients."