John Giacomini, former chief of cardiology at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Palo Alto, California, has been sentenced to eight months in prison for sexual battery of another doctor.
Giacomini, 73, pleaded guilty in March. He admitted to repeatedly subjecting a subordinate doctor to “unwanted and unwelcome sexual contact,” including “hugging, kissing and intimate touching while on VA premises.” This behavior continued for months in 2017, even after the victim specifically told Giacomini she was not interested in any sort of romantic or sexual relationship. In December 2017, Giacomini “aggressively groped” the victim, and she left the VA soon after that incident.
Giacomini held his position of cardiology chief at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto for more than 30 years.
In addition to his prison term, he has been ordered to serve one year of supervised release, pay a $15,000 fine and pay mandatory special assessment fees.
Thoughts from the victim, U.S. attorney and judge
“For those willing and able to share their stories of abuse, the Office of the U.S. Attorney is here to listen,” United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds said in a statement from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). “And where the law and evidence permit, we will act. Dedicated public servants are the government's most precious resource. It is our obligation, and our honor, to protect them from harassment and abuse in their federal workplaces and to seek justice on their behalf.”
The DOJ statement also included a quote from the victim, who said she felt “overwhelming disappointment” that a trusted supervisor “would abuse his position like that.”
“The primary reason I reported these events was to help prevent this from happening to anyone else again, especially women fellows in the field of cardiology,” the victim added.
Beth L. Freeman, a United States district judge, handed down the sentence. During the sentencing hearing, she called out the horrible nature of Giacomini’s actions and highlighted the victim’s courage in stepping forward.
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Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.