On Wednesday, December 23, 2021, Dr. Keun Lee surrendered to New jersey police to face allegations that he sexually assaulted a patient during exams at Aventura Hospital over two years ago.
Keun Lee, age 29, was charged with two counts of sexual battery and was awaiting extradition in jail in Bergen, New Jersey. Last week, he made a deal in court that allowed him to post bond in exchange for agreeing to fly to Miami and surrender. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Wednesday on two counts of sexual battery.
According to Florida records, Lee's medical license was issued in 2018 but lapsed in 2020. At the time of the incident in 2019, Lee was a medical-school graduate and resident (doctor in training) at Aventura Hospital, located at 20900 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, FL 33180.
According to the arrest warrant, the victim was a 23-year-old woman who was admitted to Aventura Hospital with a severe leg injury on July 8, 2019. After surgery, she spent more than a week recovering in the hospital. By July 17, 2019, she was under the care of psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Vassal and Dr. Keun Lee, his resident in training.
The arrest warrant stated that Vassal and Lee briefly met with the patient in the morning, but Lee returned later that afternoon to "examine" her. The victim told police that Lee used his bare hand to assault her. She also reported that Lee returned the next day and asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life. The victim stated that Lee appeared overly intrigued and then said she needed another "exam." Lee then allegedly sexually attacked her again, the warrant said.
According to media reports, Aventura detectives stated that none of the "exams" were recorded in her medical file. They also confirmed the timeline after reviewing video surveillance of the doctor entering her room alone and corroborated the victim's story. The patient's surgeon and Vassal confirmed to police that Lee would have no reason to have multiple 40-minute long private visits with the patient or be conducting any physical examinations on her. After the case was reported to Aventura police, detectives tried calling Lee, but investigators learned that he fled to his native South Korea in April 2021, and returned to New Jersey in July 2021.
Aventura Hospital released the following statement that Lee was let go:
"Patient safety is at the center of everything we do at Aventura Hospital. This individual is no longer employed with us and we have and will continue to assist law enforcement with its investigation of this individual. Our concern continues to be for the victim, and we offer our support to her and her family."
Finding the right medical provider can be challenging. We seek out seasoned professionals who possess a good bedside manner, compassion, and empathy. When we do finally decide on one, we hope to feel better over time, not be violated by the very person with whom we place our trust. Doctors hold a position of power in the physician-patient relationship under Florida law. It is both unacceptable and unlawful for a healthcare professional to touch a patient in any sexual manner or practice any sexual misconduct while treating the patient.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual misconduct claims against medical professionals on behalf of patients who were inappropriately touched in their care. Under no circumstances is a doctor or nurse permitted to have sexual contact with a patient. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery at a medical office or facility, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.