Ex-Urologist Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexually Abusing Sedated Patients Claims His Actions Were Medically Necessary

A former urologist who was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing dozens of male patients, including minors, while they were sedated in New York claimed that his actions were medically necessary.

Despite his conviction and the life sentence that was issued Wednesday, Darius A. Paduch claims that he is innocent and that the ways he touched the patients had medical purposes, as reported by the Associated Press.

During his trial, 11 victims testified about their experiences, while dozens more submitted statements to be read in court.

The instances of abuse are said to have occurred between 2007 to 2019 in New York, as well as some instances in New Jersey. Victims accused Paduch, 57, of masturbating them, directing them to masturbate while he watched, inserting a finger into their rectum and pressing his own erect penis against their body, according to the Department of Justice.

"He used his position as a renowned urologist at prestigious hospitals to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to gratify his own sexual desires. Paduch's abuse was perverse and pervasive, spanning over a decade and victimizing patients both inside and outside of hospital rooms," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.

Paduch was found guilty of six counts of enticing people to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of inducing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity in May.

"Doctor Paduch maintains his innocence and we are confident that someday he will be vindicated," Michael Baldassare, Paduch's attorney, said in a statement obtained by AP.