The disturbing trend of doctors and other health care personnel committing sexual assault on patients continues throughout the nation. In the latest example, former Casper, Wyoming obstetrician/gynecologist Paul Harnetty was arrestedon charges of 12 counts of sexual assault and attempted drug possession.
Harnetty, 46, could face between 18 and 225 years in prison for charges of nine counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of third-degree sexual assault, according to K2 Radio in Wyoming. The criminal warrant cites the alleged sexual assault of six female patients in the Casper, Wyoming area. Harnetty separately faces a drug charge after law enforcement found synthetic steroid Nandrolone during a search of his home.
The former obstetrics and gynecology specialist stopped practicing medicine in Wyoming in October 2015 and moved to Minnesota at some point between April and September 2016, according to the Casper Star Tribune. The Wyoming Board of Medicine filed a complaint against Harnetty after receiving several complaints of rule violations in February 2016.
Harnetty previously faced a state board investigation in Georgia in 2010, when he worked in a hospital there.
Prosecutors plan to extradite Harnetty from Minnesota to Wyoming to face the sexual assault charges.
Attorney Adam Horowitz is experienced in filing lawsuits nationwide on behalf of victims of sex assault by doctors or other healthcare personnel. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual assault, please email attorney Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com or call our law firm at 888-283-9922.