Rajesh Motibhai Patel, a physician at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. He was convicted of violating a patient's constitutional right to bodily integrity and abusive sexual contact. The victim was a female veteran who was assaulted during a routine medical exam in January 2020.
“Patel used his position of trust as a VA physician to sexually assault his female veteran patient who had honorably served our country,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “His crimes were an egregious breach of that trust and an abuse of his power. This sentence prevents Patel from causing future harm to veterans who seek care at from the VA.”
Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office remarked, “This sentence holds Dr. Patel accountable for the vile acts he committed while serving as a VA physician.” He emphasized that such acts erode trust and are reprehensible.
The investigation revealed that during the medical exam, Patel unlawfully touched the victim's body without her consent and for no legitimate medical purpose. The jury found him guilty on November 5, 2024.
Patel, aged 69 and residing in Lilburn, Georgia, will also face 15 years of supervised release following his prison term and is prohibited from practicing medicine during this period.
The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin N. Spritzer and Jennifer Keen.
For further information regarding this case, contact can be made with the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email or phone.