Published: 2009-03-26 11:37:32
Author: Ted Sullivan, Janesville Gazette, December 3, 2008
JANESVILLE — A Janesville chiropractor twice sanctioned for improper sexual contact continues to practice.
William E. Atkinson, 64, of Atkinson Chiropractic Associates, 1344 Creston Park Drive, Janesville, was ordered in August to pay a $5,000 fine and attend patient boundary classes after getting accused of sexually touching a teen patient, according to Wisconsin Division of Enforcement records.
Atkinson also was sanctioned in 1991 after two female patients complained of improper sexual contact. After that case, Atkinson was forbidden from examining women for three years without a female assistant in the room.
The Chiropractic Examining Board decided not to suspend or revoke Atkinson's license in the recent case after he agreed to the penalties to resolve the complaint, according to state records.
The board often weighs the public's safety against the offender's chance of rehabilitation to decide whether to revoke a license, said David Carlson, spokesman for the state Department of Regulation and Licensing.
"There is no magic formula that says this rises to the level of suspension or revocation," Carlson said. "It's case by case."
The recent complaint stems from a 2005 civil trial in Rock County Court after a teen girl and patient alleged that Atkinson repeatedly touched her in a sexual manner, according to state records.
Atkinson denied the accusation, according to state records.