ATLANTA,None — An Atlanta Veterans Affairs physician was arraigned Wednesday on charges of sexual assault on a patient and making false statements to federal investigators.
Devashish Ray, 46, of Alpharetta was released on bond.
According to United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates, the indictment and other information presented in court, the victim, a veteran of the armed forces and hemophilia patient, went to the Veterans Affairs hospital in Decatur on Nov. 17, 2008, for treatment of a sore hip that she believed to be related to her condition.
While the victim was alone with Ray in the examination room, Ray groped the victim's breasts with his bare hands and tried, on several occasions, to convince the victim to allow him to remove her pants to conduct a pap smear, according to information presented in court. The victim refused and reported the incident.
Agents employed by the VA's Office interviewed Ray about the victim's allegations. Ray insisted to the agents that he had only examined the victim's abdominal area, according to information presented in court.
Ray phoned a nurse at the VA hospital and asked her to falsely claim to federal investigators that she was present in the examination room with Ray and the victim, according to information presented in court.
Yates said, "Our military veterans deserve the best medical care available by medical professionals who are committed to the patient's well-being. Allegations of abuse and obstruction at a VA hospital will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted."
A statement from Ray's attorney, Peter K. Odom said, "Dr. Devashish Ray is a physician with the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Decatur. Since 2005, he has earned an impeccable record providing needed medical treatment to hundreds of men and women from the armed services. He is highly trained in internal medicine, has earned a position of leadership within his medical team at the VA, and is well respected by his staff and colleagues. The allegations which have made their way into the press are mere accusations. Dr. Ray maintains his absolute innocence of these charges. Beyond that, there will be no public statement until the appropriate place and time; that is in a court of law. Dr. Ray prays that for the sake of his wife, children, friends, and colleagues for whom he cares deeply that all who are listening withhold any judgment until the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth comes out in due time."