Written by Theresa Sullivan Barger
The state Medical Examining Board voted unanimously Friday to suspend the medical license of an East Hartford internist charged with raping a patient in an examining room.
Dr. Edwin A. Njoku, 52, of East Hartford, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, bribing a witness and first-degree unlawful restraint.
In the course of investigating the patient’s complaint, East Hartford police learned that other patients “under the care of Dr. Njoku have likely been victimized in a similar fashion,’’ according to the police department’s press release.
At the medical board’s emergency meeting, David Tilles, staff attorney for the state Dept. of Public Health, said that Njoku’s “continued practice as a physician and surgeon represents a clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety.’’
Tilles, in requesting the summary suspension, presented the medical board with the East Hartford police report and press release and the victim’s medical records from Hartford Hospital.
Tilles said that the police report noted that the patient alleged that after the rape on Oct. 22, 2011, that Njoku attempted to contact her and dissuade her from reporting the incident to law enforcement officials.
Njoku’s attorney, William Gerace, said, “It was a summary suspension without due process. They wanted him to voluntarily give up his license. I refused on his behalf, so they took it. We’ll take it to the next level, that’s all we can do,”
Gerace added, “I’m inundated with calls from supporters,” referring to other patients.
The medical board has scheduled a hearing on the Njoku case on Feb. 17.
