Judge recommends revoking license of UCLA cardiologist accused of sexual assault
A California judge is recommending that a University of California, Los Angeles cardiologist accused of sexually assaulting three women have his medical license revoked.
Administrative law judge Thomas Heller wrote in his report to the Medical Board of California that “(with) such serious misconduct and no evidence of rehabilitation, allowing (the) respondent to continue practicing would not be protective of the public or of public confidence in the medical profession.” Guillermo Andres Cortes was suspended from his post as a UCLA cardiologist back in May 2018, according to the Daily Bruin, but he still holds a valid medical license.
One of Cortes’ reported victims, a Los Angeles physician, first filed a civil suit against Cortes in December 2016, citing sexual battery, sexual harassment and employee discrimination. The Daily Bruin reported the case was investigated by the county, which found the available evidence inconclusive and allowed Cortes to return to work.
Heller determined that the Los Angeles doctor’s claims were supported by convincing evidence but said he couldn’t say the same for Cortes’ other two accusers. Still, he’s recommending the physician have his license, which is slated to expire at the end of April, revoked.
The jury trial for the Los Angeles doctor’s lawsuit against Cortes is set for Sept. 15.
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After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor’s in journalism, Anicka joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering cardiology. Close to her heart is long-form journalism, Pilot G-2 pens, dark chocolate and her dog Harper Lee.