A liver doctor accused of using his position to sexually abuse patients for decades tried to hide his face from cameras after posting a $1.5 million bond.
Dr. John Hoefs, 79, is accused of groping dozens of female patients since 2006 at UCI Medical Center and a clinic at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Southern California.
The hepatologist put his hand over his face as he left Orange County Superior Court in Newport Beach on Wednesday with his wife and daughter, who aggressively tried to block the cameras.
Hoefs, who lives in Irvine, was previously released from jail after posting $500,000 bail in May, but was rearrested after more charges were filed.
He has pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of sexual battery by fraud and three felony counts of sexual battery.
Dr. John Hoefs, 79, is accused of groping more than a dozen female patients since 2006 at UCI Medical Center and a clinic at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Southern California.
The doctor was accompanied by his daughter and wife, who tried to block the cameras
Hoefs is accused of demanding that his female patients undress and expose their breasts while he was examining their livers.
One of the alleged victims alleged that Hoefs groped her breasts during five separate appointments beginning in 2020 that were for the treatment of a liver condition.
The woman claims she tried to cover herself with a dress, but Hoefs pulled it down to expose her breast.
Hoefs has also been sued by fifteen other women who claim the doctor abused them
The second alleged victim says Hoefs touched her breasts during her investigation in 2016 and again in 2017.
Hoefs has also been sued by 15 other women who claim the doctor forced them to expose their chests and, in many cases, groped them under the guise of medical treatment.
One woman alleged in the lawsuit filed in August that Hoefs claimed he “felt her liver” while touching her breasts and indicating he was aroused, as reported by police. Los Angeles Times.
“Many of the female patients whom Hoefs sexually abused were fighting for their lives against aggressive forms of liver cancer and hepatitis at the time they sought treatment,” the lawsuit said.
‘When Hoefs in turn viciously violated that trust to sexually abuse these extremely vulnerable patients.’
One woman claims she showed Hoefs a photo of a bruise to get his advice, but he said he “didn’t have time to look at pictures unless they were of her in a bikini.”
The doctor’s family supported him on Wednesday after he posted bail
Hoefs, who lives in Irvine, was previously released from jail after posting $500,000 bail in May, but was rearrested after more charges were filed
The lawsuit also named Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and the Regents of the University of California.
The LA Times and the lawsuit allege that Hoefs was repeatedly reported in online forums and to the California Medical Board, but was not stopped until he was arrested in May.
The California Medical Board suspended Hoefs’ medical license and UCI Medical Center and Hoag Memorial ended their relationships with the doctor after his arrest.
Hoag claims Hoefs never worked for them.
Like many other private physicians, Dr. Hoefs office space in a building owned by Hoag,” they said in a statement.
“Upon learning of his arrest, Hoag’s medical staff immediately suspended his hospital privileges and suspended Hoag’s access to his rented space.”