Dr. William Thompson of Newport Beach Charged With Sexually Assaulting 9 Patients

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Newport Beach Doctor William Thompson Charged With Sexually Assaulting 9 Patients

Sep 27, 2023

A Newport Beach infectious disease doctor has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting nine patients. Dr. William Thompson IV, a resident of Huntington Beach whose practice reportedly specializes in treating members of the LGTBQ+ community, is alleged to have sexually assaulted multiple male patients under the guise of “necessary medical exams,” Fox 11 reported.

Fox 11 also reported that Dr. William Thompson’s website – which is currently down – indicated that he provided “general practitioner services to the LGBTQ+ Community,” and listed an affiliation with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

Dr. Thompson IV’s arrest occurred last week at his Newport Beach medical practice following a joint investigation by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Newport Beach Police Department, KTLA reported.

According to law enforcement officials, the sexual assaults allegedly committed by Dr. William Thompson include:

  • Forcing one patient to orally copulate him
  • Performing several medically unnecessary anal exams

After learning medical procedures being performed on them by Thompson were not medically necessary, six of Thompson’s patients disclosed that they had been sexually assaulted by Thompson,” officials said.

The sex crimes charges against Thompson include:

  • Eight felony counts of sexual penetration by means of fraudulent representation of professional purpose
  • Three felony counts of sexual battery by fraud
  • Two felony counts of forcible oral copulation

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office issued a statement following Dr. Thompson’s arrest.

Many of Dr. Thompson’s patients depended on him to provide life-saving care and he exploited those vulnerabilities for his own sexual gratification,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said via a press release.

“Unfortunately, because of his specialized area of practice, Dr. Thompson put the very patients he was supposed to treat with professionalism and dignity, in a situation where they may have felt they had no other choice but to be subjected to sexual abuse in order to receive the treatment they needed to continue to live. A doctor’s office should be a place where patients can safely share their most personal vulnerabilities without having to fear they will be preyed upon by a sexual predator. No one should be violated in such a shameful way by someone who has taken an oath to protect their patients,” Spitzer added.

If convicted of all the sex crimes charges, Thompson faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in prison plus 25 years.

Dr. William Thompson IV was release on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on November 2.

Officials also noted that Thompson was arrested in April 2021 on suspicion of driving under the influence. At the time of his arrest, Thompson reportedly had a blood alcohol content of .38. He eventually pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of DUI and one misdemeanor count of DUI with a BAC of more than .08%, law enforcement officials confirmed.

Police Seeking Additional Sexual Abuse Victims of Dr. William Thompson IV

Newport Beach Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying any additional patients who may have been sexually assaulted by Dr. William Thompson, 56, of Huntington Beach, California.

Nine male patients have come forward to accuse Thompson of sexual assault, but authorities have indicated they believe there are likely additional victims.

If you have information about a sex crime committed by Dr. William Thompson or may know of an unidentified victim, Newport Beach Police urge you to contact them immediately at 949-644-3682. To submit an anonymous tip, please call 1-800-550-6273.

Local Los Angeles-Area Doctors Arrested for Alleged Patient Sexual Assault

In July, Riverside Dr. Sam Sannoufi of Newport Beach was arrested after multiple patients came forward and reported alleged sex crimes to police.

The July arrest was the second time Dr. Sannoufi was charged with sexually assaulting patients – with the first instance occurring in June of this year.

Police have indicted there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information related to a sex crime committed by Dr. Sam Sannoufi to contact Detective Stanley Hua at 951-353-7950 or SHua@RiversideCA.gov.

The Los Angeles Times published an investigative report in December 2021 which identified specific Southern California-based doctors whose licenses had been reinstated despite sexual misconduct allegations. Some of those physicians included:

  • Dr. Esmail Nadjmabadi of Bakersfield
  • Dr. Zachary Cosgrove of Bakersfield
  • Dr. Hari M. Reddy of Victorville
  • Dr. Shahab “Sean” Ataee of Fountain Valley
  • Dr. Anshul Gandhi of Cedars-Sinai medical center in Los Angeles

From a total of 17 physicians who had previously lost their licenses due to sexual misconduct, 10 were reinstated, according to the Times’ investigation – a reinstatement rate of nearly 60%.
California Doctors Convicted of Sexual Abuse No Longer Able to Keep Medical Licenses

New legislation known as AB-1636 was passed last year to ensure that doctors convicted of sexual abuse or other types of sexual misconduct will be prohibited from having their licenses reinstated by California’s medical board.

California AB-1636 authorizes the state medical board to “deny a license based on formal discipline that occurred earlier than seven years preceding the date of application if the formal discipline was based on conduct that, if committed in this state by a licensed physician and surgeon, would have constituted an act of sexual abuse, misconduct, or relations with a patient or sexual exploitation, as specified,” according to the bill’s text.

Contact a Newport Beach Doctor Sexual Assault Attorney Today for a Free Consultation

To speak with a doctor sexual assault attorney from Dordulian Law Group (DLG), contact us today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM for a free, confidential, and no obligation consultation.

DLG is led by top-rated sexual assault attorney Sam Dordulian, a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County. DLG’s sexual assault team offers survivors of Newport Beach doctor abuse peace of mind and confidence throughout the litigation process through our four-tiered team of sex crimes processionals known as the SAJE Team (Sexual Assault Justice Experts).

DLG’s SAJE Team encompasses a unique form of legal representation featuring access to added resources:

  • Dedicated team of sexual assault lawyers who have helped countless survivors secure justice through maximum financial damages awards
  • An experienced and accredited in-house victim advocate
  • An in-house licensed clinical therapist
  • A retired LAPD sex crimes detective

Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

When you’re ready to come forward and pursue justice on your own terms against a predator doctor for sexual misconduct, we’re here to listen, to believe you, and to fight aggressively to help you secure the justice and maximized financial compensation you deserve.

With DLG’s SAJE Team, there is never any fee for our expert sexual assault attorney services until we recover maximum financial compensation for your doctor misconduct claim. We’re standing by 24/7 to answer any questions you may have – contact us today by calling 866-GO-SEE-SAM.

Author

Samuel Dordulian

Samuel Dordulian, founder

Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.




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