A Fort Hood physician has been suspended amid allegations he recorded sufferers with out consent and performed improper exams, officers affirm.
FORT HOOD, Texas — A navy physician at Fort Hood’s Carl R. Darnall Military Medical Heart has been suspended from his place following severe allegations of sexual misconduct, and a legislation agency now says it represents 12 victims with many extra anticipated to return ahead.
Legal professional Andrew Cobos of the Cobos Regulation Agency alleges that an OBGYN at Darnall Hospital videotaped lots of of sufferers throughout medical procedures with out their consent or data for his sexual gratification.
“We consider that we have now proof supporting allegations he videotaped lots of of sufferers throughout procedures with out their consent and with out their data,” Cobos stated in an interview. “It has been alleged by my purchasers that he did it for his sexual gratification.”
The allegations go far past unauthorized recordings. Cobos claims the physician improperly touched sufferers and really helpful pointless examinations.
“When a consumer would go in for an ultrasound, he would advocate that they get a breast examination solely for the aim that he can expose and grope their breasts, and he did so in a non-medical method,” Cobos stated.
The legal professional alleges that the physician performed these examinations with out different workers members current within the room, in violation of coverage that requires a nurse or workers member to be obtainable throughout such procedures.
“His improper touching was not simply to the breast space of those feminine victims. It was additionally to their genitalia, and all of that’s improper,” Cobos instructed 6 Information.
Cobos says lots of his purchasers reported the conduct to the Military, however nothing was executed.
“Most of the people that we signify stated that they contacted the Military, they complained about him, and nothing was ever executed,” Cobos stated. “They weren’t switched to different OBGYNs, and he was persevering with to deal with them.”
Cobos, a former U.S. Military Captain who graduated from West Level in 2003, drew parallels between this case and the 2020 homicide of Specialist Vanessa Guillen, which uncovered a tradition at Fort Hood that allowed sexual harassment and assault to go unchecked.
“The Vanessa Guillen incident concerned improper reporting,” Cobos stated. “It was a bunch of cover-ups and a tolerance of sexual assault within the navy, and Fort Hood ought to have discovered its lesson via the Vanessa Guillen incident, and clearly they did no.”
The Guillen case led to congressional hearings, a number of firings and transfers of Fort Hood management and guarantees of military-wide reforms.
“One of these sexual misconduct is not only on the physician, it is also on the group of the Military as an entire,” Cobos stated. “And so what we’re in search of to do is to carry each the Military and the physician accountable.”
In an announcement, Fort Hood officers confirmed {that a} Carl R. Darnall Military Medical Heart medical supplier has been suspended from his place and is not offering providers to sufferers.
“The Division of the Military Prison Investigation Division (CID) started an investigation inside hours of a affected person’s allegations towards this former medical supplier,” the assertion learn. “Fort Hood and CRDAMC are dedicated to offering world-class care to our Troopers, Households and beneficiaries, with affected person security and belief because the cornerstone of our mission.”
The Division of the Military Prison Investigation Division supplied an extra assertion: “The Division of the Military Prison Investigation Division is actively investigating this matter with the utmost care and sensitivity. To guard the integrity of the investigation and guarantee all leads could be totally explored, we’re unable to share particulars right now.”
Fort Hood officers say they’re contacting all sufferers seen by the supplier throughout his tenure at CRDAMC, even when there may be presently no indication they’ve been affected by the alleged misconduct. A devoted CRDAMC name heart has been established to reply questions and supply further sources.
Doubtlessly affected sufferers are being contacted by Military CID. If additional notification is required, Military CID investigators will contact people immediately.
The Cobos Regulation Agency is in search of aid via the Federal Tort Claims Act and inspiring different victims to return ahead.
“They need to contact my legislation agency,” Cobos stated. “My cellphone quantity is 713-234-5860, or they’ll contact us at join@cobos.legislation.”
Fort Hood officers stated the matter stays underneath ongoing investigation and the topic is presumed harmless except confirmed responsible. Officers stated they’re unable to offer further data right now to guard the integrity of the investigation and the privateness of those that could also be affected.
“We perceive sufferers might really feel distressed and anxious about this difficulty, and we encourage beneficiaries to contact CRDAMC for extra questions,” the Fort Hood assertion concluded.
Proper now, 6 Information won’t determine the case’s victims or the physician accused.
For Victims: Cobos Regulation Agency Cellphone: 713-234-5860 Electronic mail: join@cobos.legislation
For Sufferers with Questions: Carl R. Darnall Military Medical Heart Devoted Name Heart (quantity to be supplied by CRDAMC)
