Bogus doctor who sedated and raped a patient is jailed for six years
A man who lied and said he was a doctor before raping a patient who was under sedation has been locked up for six years.
Michael Sorodsky, 63, who said he was a holistic healer, admitted to rape and 11 counts of aggravated sexual abuse.
However, prosecutors have said they are unhappy with the sentence, saying it is too lenient and want him to serve longer.
Unorthodox treatments: The site of Sorodsky's former office, the Holistic Skin and Spa Clinic, in Brooklyn, where he is alleged to have abused eight patients
The court heard that the fake doctor inserted pro-biotic yoghurt into women's genitalia and had sex with one patient while she was sedated.
He charged up to $1,000 (£614) for his 'therapy sessions' in Brooklyn, New York and was arrested after the daughter of one of this patients became suspicious of the treatments her mother was receiving so went to see him, posing as a cancer sufferer.
Rimma Klots told the New York Daily News: 'What he was doing was, he was giving a gynaecological exam, and he was giving a breast exam. It wasn't necessary. It didn't feel like a doctor's examination.
'He did say inappropriate things. Something like "your breasts look good".'
He was facing 102 charges ranging from rape to fraud but that was reduced to 20 after plea bargaining.
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Prosecutor Thomas Schellhammer said: 'He tells people he can cure them, and nobody gets better.'
He treated hundreds of patients, mostly Russian immigrants, at his Sheepshead Bay office andwent went through 13 different lawyers before his conviction yesterday.
In court he relied on a Russian translator, but sometimes had outbursts that were in English. At one point he said: 'It is inquisition. I am somebody pioneer. I am a scientist.'
Speaking about the sentence handed down by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Guy Mangano, prosecution spokesman Lauren Passalacqua said: 'Our office strongly disagrees with the sentence and is exploring all possible avenues to ensure this defendant will never harm others again.'
Prosecutors are now looking at pursuing civil confinement meaning that Sorodsky will be under constant supervision when he is released.
He has already been behind bars for three years and has to complete the full six year term to complete his sentence.
He will also have 10 years of post-release supervision and must register as a sex offender.
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