A grand jury in Massachusetts has officially charged a physician accused of sexually assaulting over 200 patients throughout a decade-long span. Dr. Derrick Todd has been the subject of lawsuits alleging that he conducted unnecessary pelvic floor therapy, breast examinations, testicular examinations, and other improper medical procedures on patients since 2010. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday that Todd faces charges of “two counts of rape related to the sexual assault of two women.”
During his arraignment on Friday, Todd pleaded not guilty. He has been granted bail set at $10,000 and has been instructed to avoid contact with the victims, surrender his passport, hand over all medical licenses, cease practicing medicine, and refrain from applying for any new passports or licenses, as reported by a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office. The declared incidents of assault allegedly took place in December 2022 and June 2023, and investigations into Todd’s actions are still ongoing.
Legal expert William Thompson, from the Boston law firm Lubin & Meyer, which represents over 180 of Todd’s accusers, indicated that the criminal case against Todd is expected to expand. “This is merely the onset of the criminal proceedings against Dr. Todd, but it strengthens the civil claims being pursued by Lubin & Meyer on behalf of numerous former patients,” explained Thompson. “At its core, this issue revolves around a physician misusing his authority and exploiting the trust of patients for his own sexual gratification.”
Thompson went on to mention that the civil case against Todd is currently undergoing the discovery phase. Inquiries were made to Anthony Abeln, Todd’s attorney in the civil matter, and Ingrid Martin, his criminal defense attorney, but no responses were received.
Todd previously worked as a rheumatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The lawsuits have not only targeted him but also accuse the hospital and other parties of being aware of the alleged abuse and neglecting to stop it. In April 2023, the hospital received anonymous complaints about Todd, subsequently launching an internal investigation that led to his termination in July. Following this, Todd entered into a voluntary agreement with the Board of Registration in Medicine to cease practicing medicine across the United States.
As the allegations came to light, Todd’s previous workplaces have distanced themselves from him. His victims reportedly span a wide age range, from teenagers to women in their 60s. Paula Bliss, an attorney with the Justice Law Collaborative, which advocates for victims’ rights in Massachusetts, remarked on Friday that the indictment represents “a significant moment of validation for the patients he sexually assaulted and the courageous survivors who shared the truth regarding this so-called medical professional’s appalling behavior.”
