Chiropractor accused of sexual assault to continue practice with restrictions

Published: 2009-05-04 22:45:38
Author: Desert Sun Wire Service | March 10, 2009

An Indio chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting several patients under the guise of performing examinations is allowed to continue practicing -- with restrictions -- while his criminla case is pending, a state official said today.

Stuart Greenwood, 58, of Apple Valley, has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual penetration and three counts of sexual battery under unlawful restraint. He was released on $100,000 bail on Feb. 27.

The California State Board of Chiropractic Examiners is independently seeking to revoke Greenwood's license because of the accusations against him. A judge is scheduled to make a tentative ruling on whether to revoke the chiropractor's license on May 4.

"We filed what's called an interim suspension order against him, which is an administration filing to restrict his license,'' said Brain Stiger, executive officer of the state board.

The board argued before an administrative law judge in January that Greenwood should not be allowed to practice, but the judge ruled that the chiropractor can continue to practice with some restrictions, Stigler said.

Under the restrictions, Greenwood is not allowed to give "any chiropractic care or treatment to any female patients aged 18 or above,'' he said.

Greenwood is also not allowed to "provide any chiropractic care to either gender -- male or female -- patients under the age of 18 without a female attendant being present at all times,'' Stiger said.

He said those restrictions were extended on Feb. 23 until May 4, when the judge will hold a hearing to determine whether Greenwood's license should be revoked. The judge will then issue a "proposed decision'' that will be later voted on by the California State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Greenwood is accused of sexually assaulting four patients between June 2006, when a woman claimed that Greenwood had touched her inappropriately, to April 2008, when another woman alleged the chiropractor penetrated her with his finger, according to a declaration filed in support of an arrest warrant.

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