A Minnesota doctor has been accused of sexual assaulting a female patient after he allegedly asked to check her “bum” as part of a needless examination.
Javaid Saleem was charged via summons Tuesday with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for the alleged sexual assault of a woman suffering with abdominal issues at the North Memorial Health Clinic in Maple Grove in May 2020, the Star Tribune reported.
The woman first reported the sexual assault last spring on the same day that it allegedly took place, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the newspaper.
She told Maple Grove police that Saleem had asked to perform a rectal exam on her the week before — even though she was not experiencing problems with her bowel movements, the complaint states.
The 55-year-old physician, who practises obstetrics, pediatrics and family medicine, prescribed the woman some medication and advised her to see a gastrointestinal specialist.
But the woman said she had to arrange a follow-up visit with Saleem a week later after she was unable to schedule an appointment with a specialist or afford the expensive medicine.
At the second consultation, Saleem allegedly told his patient he would need to check her “bum” — a procedure she at first questioned but then eventually consented to, according to the complaint.
Saleem then allegedly asked the woman to partly undress before examining her genitals during the sexual assault, the complaint states.
After the examination, the woman said she saw the doctor typing with one hand on his computer while his other hand was tucked under his coat, near his groin.
Saleem made no mention of any medical findings from the penetrative procedure he is said to have carried out on May 15, 2020, according to the charges filed in Hennepin County.
Investigators responded to the clinic that day after the woman contacted police, WCCO reported.
Saleem reportedly provided a statement later on in which he claimed that he had found a mass while performing the examination. However, the supposed finding was not noted in the woman’s medical records, the Star Tribune reported.
Saleem was fired Tuesday by North Memorial Health, his employer since 2007, according to his LinkedIn page.
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He had been placed on administrative leave late last May after the medical care provider learned of the police investigation.
In a statement released Thursday to WCCO, North Memorial Health said it had “cooperated with police throughout the investigation into the alleged incident.”
“We do not comment on the details of open cases or active litigation,” the statement read. “What we can tell you is patient safety is our top priority at North Memorial Health and we are deeply committed to providing a safe environment for our customers and team.”
Crazy America were unable to reach Saleem for comment Thursday.
His attorney has told the Star Tribune that he “categorically denies” the accusations.
Maple Grove police declined to comment on whether Saleem was subject to other investigations about his professional conduct.
“If there were other active investigations against the doctor, we would not release that information because it would be confidential and part of an active investigation,” Maple Grove police commander Jon Wetternach told the Tribune.
Saleem could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, WCCO reported.