Serial sexual abuser and disgraced urologist Darius Paducci on Wednesday sexually assaulted male patients, including six minors, over a period of more than a decade at some of the city's most prestigious hospitals. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes.
Paducci, 57, was charged with six counts of inducing a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity and inducing a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity, citing years of abuse. He was found guilty on May 8th on five charges.
He was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Ronnie Abrams on Wednesday, according to the Manhattan federal prosecutor's office.
“Darius Paduk was a sex offender who preyed on patients seeking treatment for sensitive medical issues,” U.S. Attorney Damien Williams said in a statement.
“He used his position as a prestigious urologist at a prestigious hospital to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to satisfy his own sexual desires.”
This creepy doctor abused dozens of patients under the guise of treatment backed by the prestige of his employers, including Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University, and Northwell Health Systems. victims suspect abuse and often ask them to return to the office if they want to know more, prosecutors said.
A total of 310 victims have filed charges and lawsuits against Paducci, the most ever for a male victim to be abused by a single predator, said Anthony DiPietro, an attorney for some of the plaintiffs. It is said that he broke a terrible record.
The abuse by the urologist dates back to 2007 and continued at multiple hospitals until at least 2019, according to evidence presented during a two-week grand jury trial.
Some of the victims had been abused for several years during their visits by doctors specializing in infertility and male reproductive health.
Prosecutors said Padduk made patients masturbate during examinations, ordered them to masturbate while he watched, digitally penetrated them without gloves, and pressed his erect penis against patients. That's what it means.
Federal authorities said the suspect also used sex toys on the victim.
Paducci, who has been in prison since his arrest in April 2023, claimed to the victim that the abuse was part of a medically necessary test.
“Paduci's abuse was perverse and pervasive, victimizing patients both in and out of the hospital room over a period of more than a decade. He repeatedly violated his 'do no harm' oath,” Williams said.
“Today's ruling shows that health care providers who abuse their positions of trust to commit sexual abuse will be held accountable for their actions.”
The disgraced doctor also faces multiple civil lawsuits from a total of 310 former patients and victims.
The lawsuit details an even more alarming pattern of alleged abuse, including omitting anesthesia during unnecessary procedures, causing patients pain, and disfiguring penis enlargement.
Lawyers for the victims praised the verdict Wednesday.
“Today's life sentence for Darius Paducci represents a decisive victory for justice and accountability,” DiPietro said. “Darius Paduk used his position of trust as a doctor to prey on vulnerable people, and now he will face the consequences of his horrific actions.”
“No sentence can undo the pain and suffering endured by each survivor of Dr. Darius Paducci's abuse, but this time… “The verdict closes an important chapter for these survivors.”
“For nearly 20 years, the top-notch medical institution where we worked continued to turn a blind eye, while the patients who had trusted him with their medical care and treatment for nearly 20 years were instead turned a blind eye. He has been brutalized through medically unfounded acts that degrade him and involve sexual violence.
“The power of survivors, especially those who bravely testified in criminal trials, was incredible and helped ensure Dr. Paducci’s accountability. It reaffirms that abuse will not go unnoticed.”
Both attorneys said they intend to hold the institutions that allowed Paducci's abuse unchecked in civil court.
“But this is just the beginning. We are now focused on holding accountable the facilities that cover up and enable Paducci's patient exploitation under the guise of medical care,” DiPietro said. added.
“There is justice for every patient exposed to this known predator, and we will fight until justice is served.”
If you have been sexually assaulted and live in New York, you can receive free and confidential crisis counseling by calling 1-800-942-6906. If you live out of state, dial the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
