A lawsuit filed today accuses a Charleston gastroenterologist of sexually assaulting a patient while she was under anesthesia.
Dr. Steven Matulis is being investigated by law enforcement, according to the lawsuit and a spokesman for Charleston Area Medical Center.
His privileges to practice medicine at CAMC were permanently revoked on March 16, the lawsuit filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court states.
On March 10, Dale Witte, spokesman for CAMC, told the Gazette-Mail in an email that Matulis, "is not currently practicing at CAMC," and that the hospital, "is cooperating with the authorities."
Witte added that it would be "inappropriate for us to comment on an ongoing investigation."
About a week after having a colonoscopy, a 25-year-old woman, identified in the complaint only by her initials, T.W., was informed by law enforcement that she was the victim of a sexual assault by Matulis, the lawsuit alleges.
During the procedure, which took place on Feb. 16, Matulis allegedly "placed his hands inside her hospital gown and fondled and groped her breasts." The complaint also alleges that the doctor, "used his fingers to repeatedly penetrate her vagina."
The alleged incident was witnessed by "one or more employees" of CAMC, the lawsuit states. Those employees reported the alleged assault to hospital administrators, according to the complaint, which was filed by Charleston attorneys Ben Salango, Adam Campbell and Matthew Smith. Matulis was suspended from CAMC two days later, the lawsuit states.
Charleston attorney Ben Bailey confirmed last month that he represents Matulis. Neither Bailey nor Matulis could be reached for comment Tuesday.
Lt. Steve Cooper, chief of detectives for the Charleston Police Department, referred questions about any investigation to Kanawha Prosecuting Attorney Charles Miller.
Miller said he could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.
"Upon information and belief, Plaintiff was not the first female patient to be sexually assaulted by Defendant Matulis during a colonoscopy procedure while under anesthesia," the complaint states.
The lawsuit also names Charleston Gastroenterology Associates PLLC as a defendant, alleging it is liable for Matulis' alleged actions and should have known Matulis had sexually assaulted female patients who were incapacitated from anesthesia prior to Feb. 16.
The lawsuit states there was no legitimate medical purpose for the doctor to fondle the woman's breasts or vagina during the colonoscopy. The woman's medical records from the procedure say nothing about a breast or vaginal exam, according to the lawsuit.
"My client trusted her healthcare provider and is completely devastated," Salango said Tuesday.
The lawsuit has been assigned to Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.
Writer Lori Kersey contributed to this report.
Reach Kate White at kate.white@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1723 or follow @KateLWhite on Twitter.