FL--Doctor sued for sexual battery

Doctor sued for sexual battery

It’s the second lawsuit filed vs. him

Group believes others are “still suffering”

It urges “anyone with information” to call police

SNAP: “Prosecutors and Health Dept. must take action”

Clinic knew of his misdeeds but kept him working, suit says

WHAT

Holding signs at a sidewalk news conference, abuse victims will

--disclose that a local doctor is being sued, for the second time, for sexual battery,

--blast his colleagues for “doing little or nothing” to stop his “hurtful crimes,”

--push law enforcement and Health Department officials to “take action now,” and

--urge anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to call law enforcement and file formal complaints with the state health department

WHEN

Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE

On the sidewalk outside the Florida's Health Department’s Hillsborough County service center, 1105 E. Kennedy Boulevard (corner of N. Brush) in Tampa (813) 307-8000 (where patients can file complaints against physicians)

WHO

Three-four abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

WHY

For the second time, Dr. Alfred Etapu Alingu and Arecho Medical Clinic (10045 Cortez Blvd. in Weeki Wachee) are named as defendants in a civil sexual assault case.

In his office, while touching the vaginal area of patient Maureen Nicholson, Dr. Alingu reportedly said “If I weren’t your doctor, you let me in here?” Other times, he “made lewd sexual comments” to her and “expressed opinions about her sexual life,” the suit says.

The suit says Dr, Alingu “had committed similar sexual misconduct on at least one other patient” and that Arecho staff knew about this before he assaulted Nicholson.

Nicholson says she “was mortified, in shock and felt paralyzed and in disbelieve” during the incidents.

Dr. Alingu worked at Arecho Medical Clinic (10045 Cortez Blvd. in Weeki Wachee).

The suit says Dr, Alingu “had committed similar sexual misconduct on at least one other patient” and that Arecho staff knew about this before he assaulted Nicholson. But clinic staff still “authorized (him) to be alone with/ patients and have unfettered and unsupervised control and access to (them).”

Copies of both lawsuits, totaling 15 pages, will be provided at the news conference. Both cases are filed in Hernando County and seek unspecified damages, charging negligence and sexual battery.

Ft. area Lauderdale attorney Adam Horowitz (954 524 2820, [email protected]) represents both women. Nicholson lives in Hudson (Pasco County) and Halliday lives in Spring Hill (Hernando County).

Nicholson may be willing to do media interviews and can be reached through her lawyer.

CONTACT

Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003, [email protected], David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected]