Atlanta, Georgia – A shocking case of betrayal has come to an end, as Rajesh Motibhai Patel, a 69-year-old physician at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for violating his patient’s constitutional right to bodily integrity while acting under color of law and for the offense of abusive sexual contact.
According to the indictment, Patel used his position of trust as a VA physician to sexually assault his female veteran patient who had honorably served our country. The egregious breach of trust and abuse of power by Patel has left many shaken, and the sentence handed down will prevent him from causing future harm to veterans who seek care from the VA.
The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, and Assistant United States Attorneys Erin N. Spritzer and Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case.
Patel was convicted of sexually assaulting a female veteran patient during what should have been a routine medical exam in January 2020. During the exam, Patel unlawfully touched the victim’s body, including her breast and vaginal area, in ways that violated her consent and for no legitimate medical purpose.
Patel was found guilty by a jury on November 5, 2024, of violating his patient’s constitutional right to bodily integrity while acting under color of law and of the offense of abusive sexual contact. The sentence will be followed by 15 years of supervised release, and Patel is prohibited from practicing medicine while on supervised release.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of trust in the healthcare system, and the devastating consequences of its betrayal. The victims of such crimes deserve our support and justice, and we hope that this sentence will bring them some measure of closure.
Contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280 for further information.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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