Atlanta VA doctor found guilty of sexually assaulting a female patient

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – A family physician at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Decatur has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a female patient in his care.

After an eight-day trial, a jury convicted Dr. Rajesh Motibhai Patel guilty of violating a patient’s constitutional right to bodily integrity while acting under the banner of the law and engaging in unwanted sexual contact.

Patel was charged in 2023 after officials said he groped and inappropriately touched four female veteran patients between 2019 and 2020.

“Dr. Patel violated the cardinal rule of a physician not to harm patients under his care,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Veterans who consulted him for treatment, like the victim in this case, trusted Dr. Patel and he betrayed that trust. His conviction hopefully provides some measure of healing for those affected by his crimes.”

The jury acquitted Patel of charges related to three victims, but found him guilty of charges related to the fourth.

“The verdict is an important step in seeking justice for a sexual assault committed against a veteran seeking care at a VA medical center,” said Michael J. Missal, inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs. “VA employees are charged with keeping our nation’s veterans safe while they receive care. Acts of violence against veterans in VA facilities are reprehensible and destroy that trust. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone who would commit these crimes. “

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In a statement to Military.com, the VA said Patel was removed from patient care and reassigned to a role that did not require interaction with patients after the department learned of the allegations.

“These alleged actions are heinous and unacceptable. We take this matter very seriously and have been working with law enforcement since these concerns were raised,” VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said in the statement. “We will provide every affected veteran with the care and support they need, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation.”

The Lilburn man is expected to be sentenced by a federal judge on February 20, 2025.