Posted on 03/10/2005 4:42:55 PM PST by madprof98
A doctor who is accused of sexually assaulting patients already traumatized by painful abortion procedures failed to show up for his preliminary exam Tuesday.
Dr. Rodolfo Finkelstein, 55, of Bloomfield Township, who performs abortions locally and in Livonia, faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a potential life sentence if convicted, as well as five other criminal sexual conduct charges.
District Judge Kimberly Small forfeited Finkelstein's bond and ordered a bench warrant at the request of Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Barbara Morrison.
"Right now, he's a fugitive," Morrison said.
Finkelstein's lawyers offered no excuse for his absence.
During the preliminary examination in the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Township, which was continued from Feb. 25, defense attorney Alexander Benson cross-examined two witnesses. He questioned them about their allegations that Finkelstein's civil attorney requested the alleged victims drop all criminal charges in exchange for a $200,000 settlement in a malpractice lawsuit.
A 21-year-old woman who reportedly sought out Finkelstein for a second trimester abortion last summer said she hired a civil attorney to explore possible compensation from Finkelstein.
A 19-year-old woman, who hired the same attorney for the same reason, testified that in a late-February phone conversation, Finkelstein's civil attorney "told me if I took the $200,000, I had to tell Mrs. Morrison that I don't want to pursue criminal charges."
She continued that Finkelstein's civil attorney told her that her criminal case wasn't strong enough to be upheld in court.
"I just wanted to see the doctor get in trouble. The money is not an issue for me. I don't have money now - it's not an issue," the 19-year-old witness testified.
Benson replied, "Our belief is that the women are confused that the doctor's civil lawyer who represented him in the malpractice claims filed against him were in some way connected to the criminal case. They were merely efforts to settle the civil lawsuit or claims for monetary damages that these individual filed."
The 21-year-old woman testified Feb. 25, detailing alleged inappropriate touching and penetration by Finkelstein. The 19-year-old woman testified, also on Feb. 25, that he squeezed her buttocks and kissed her following a post-abortion exam in January of 2003.
A doctor, a nurse and another alleged victim's ex-boyfriend also testified before Small on Feb. 25.
The preliminary exam will continue 9 a.m. March 14, when it will be determined if the boyfriend's testimony should be admitted, Morrison said.
While on bond, Finkelstein was still practicing at the Women's Advisory Centers in Bloomfield Township and Livonia and he maintains his innocence.
An abortionist with low morals? I'm shocked. Shocked!
And Dr. Rodolfo Finkelstein is clearly one sick, evil dude.
Should read: While on bond, Finkelstein was still murdering little defenceless babies trapped in the womb, at the Women's Advisory Centers in Bloomfield Township and Livonia and he maintains his innocence.
Wanna help end this slaughter? Join us in supporting HR-552
http://www.christian-news-in-maine.com/february12-2005.htm
I always wondered what happened to that Finkelstein Sh*t Kid.
He was shipped off to military school..
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