Former New York-area urologist Darius A. Paduch has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of sexual abuse charges, including those involving minors. As reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Paduch's crimes occurred over a span of more than a decade at two prestigious medical institutions.
United States Attorney Damian Williams stated that Paduch, "was a sexual predator who preyed on patients seeking treatment for sensitive medical issues." Paduch used his position as a trusted medical provider to commit these heinous acts. According to the evidence presented at the trial, he not only violated his patients in his Manhattan and Long Island offices, but also extended his abuse to private settings such as his boat, where, he abused patients under the pretext of providing medical care, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The trial, which concluded with Paduch's conviction on May 8, revealed a pattern of abuse where the former urologist would engage in sexually inappropriate behavior, including masturbation of his patients and having them masturbate in his presence. The indictment showed Paduch's manipulation, persuading patients that these acts were part of necessary medical procedures. He consistently abused this fabricated element of trust, directing the victims to schedule repeated follow-up visits.
Paduch, who is 57 and hails from North Bergen, New Jersey, was found guilty of six counts related to inducing a person to travel for the purpose of unlawful sexual activity, and five counts specifically related to minors. During the sentencing phase, 11 victims testified about their experiences, and dozens more submitted impact statements to the court. In addition to the life sentence, Paduch will be subject to restitution, the exact amount of which, will be determined at a later date.
The case against Paduch was lauded by Mr. Williams for the "outstanding investigative work" of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The Assistant U.S. Attorneys in charge of the prosecution were Marguerite B. Colson, Elizabeth A. Espinosa, Ni Qian, and Jun Xiang, represented the office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. The sentencing reflects a commitment to holding medical professionals who exploit their authority to the highest level of accountability for their actions.
