Yesterday, a former urgent care doctor from Queens was handed a sentence after pleading guilty to sexual abuse charges stemming from incidents involving multiple patients. Amir Sitafalwalla, 74, received six years of probation and is required to register as a level 2 sex offender, as well as surrender his medical license. The sentencing took place in the Queens County Criminal Court and follows a series of complaints that date back to 2017.
The emotional weight of the proceedings was palpable, with some of the victims delivering impact statements against Sitafalwalla. "You are a disgrace, a coward...you prey on young men behind your medial license...you are repulsive and weak," said one 21-year-old victim who suffered abuse during a medical visit, as reported by ABC7 New York. Another victim's statement, read by their lawyer, stressed that no one seeking medical help should endure what they experienced.
Despite the court's acknowledgment of Sitafalwalla's actions through his sex offender status, attorneys for two victims expressed disappointment in the sentence. Hardeep Shergill, representing two victims, conveyed their dissatisfaction, stating, "Our clients would have preferred to see some jail time," in a statement obtained by ABC7 New York. The abuse, Shergill said, "has impacted their marital relationships, a tremendous strain on their personal lives."
Attorneys for the victims pointed out that Sitafalwalla had a history of similar misconduct at previous job locations and should not have been hired by ModernMD. "He already had this history of violating patients, assaulting patients, of having victims and this is something that they should've investigated, should've known and should've never hired Dr. Sitafalwalla to allow him access to these young men," Shergill told NY1. The urgent care provider came under fire from victims' attorneys for not adequately investigating Sitafalwalla's past before employment.
