An Edmond doctor who was accused of sexual battery and harassment has agreed to relinquish his Oklahoma medical license and to never reapply for a license to practice medicine in the state.
Sexual Battery Charges
Medhat S. F. Michael, 55, was a physician with Best Care Medical Center in Edmond when female employees and patients told authorities he made sexually explicit comments to them, kissed them, and grabbed them without their consent. He was arrested in late November 2011 on sexual battery complaints. He was charged in Oklahoma County District Court with five counts of sexual battery for incidents occurring between October 2008 and October 2011.
Michael was scheduled for jury trial on March 24, but on Monday, all charges against him were dismissed at the request of the state. Although criminal charges were dismissed, Michael has been named as a defendant in several civil complaints. At least four women have filed lawsuits against Michael and Best Care Medical for wrongful termination and assault and battery. The assault and battery lawsuits were dismissed, but the wrongful termination suits are still pending.
Acts That Lead to Charges
The sexual battery allegations occurred after Dr. Michael asked a patient to begin working for him in the clinic. She told police that within a few days of her employment, the doctor began making sexually suggestive comments and proposals, and that he kissed her without her consent. She says she pushed him away, finished her shift, and told him she would no longer be working for him.
After her report, other employees came forward, saying that the doctor made inappropriate comments, asked questions about their sex lives, offered to pay them for sex, and groped them.
Michael disputed the claims against him, saying, "Anyone can make an allegation against anyone." However, Lyle Kelsey, executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Board called Michael's case "one of the worst he had seen."
Although Michael may no longer practice medicine in Oklahoma, he could still apply for a medical license in other states. He has medical licenses which have expired in Michigan, Texas, Massachusetts, and Indiana.
Sexual Battery Laws in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, sexual battery is a Level 3 sex offense which mandates lifetime sex offender registration. It is defined by state law as "the intentional touching, mauling or feeling of the body or private parts of any person sixteen (16) years of age or older, in a lewd and lascivious manner" without the consent of the victim or against someone who is legally unable to provide consent. In addition to lifetime registration as an Oklahoma sex offender, it carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
