Ohio pediatrician gets 13 years in sex abuse case 1/14/2010 3:06:00 PM
Associated Press/AP Online
By LISA CORNWELL
HAMILTON, Ohio - A pediatrician pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and six other crimes involving former patients and must serve 13 years in prison.
Scott Blankenburg, 54, also pleaded guilty to compelling prostitution, illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance, pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, complicity to obtain a dangerous drug and two counts of bribery.
He agreed to the 13-year term in a plea deal made with Butler County prosecutors in exchange for his pleas. He did not plead guilty to sex crimes involving his former patients.
He will begin serving the sentence Feb. 15. He also must pay a $7,500 fine and agreed to pay a $27,500 fine levied against his twin brother in a similar case.
The brother, Mark Blankenburg, a fellow pediatrician, was sentenced last week to 21 to 27 years in prison for sex crimes involving former patients, money laundering and drug charges.
Blankenburg, who lived in Hamilton with his brother, had offices in nearby Fairfield while his brother mostly practiced in Hamilton. They were indicted in March.
He had initially been charged with 28 counts, including sex counts involving two of his patients and two of his brother's patients.
Authorities say the unlawful sexual conduct involved a 15-year-old boy, now in his 20s, who came forward after the original indictment. Prosecutors said Scott Blankenburg performed oral sex on the teen between 2002 and 2003 and bribed him to keep quiet. Prosecutors did not give additional details on those allegations.
Additional bribery charges and drug crimes occurred as recently as last year, prosecutors said.
Mark Blankenburg still faces trial in May on pornography charges stemming from photos the brothers took of high school athletes during games. Prosecutors said some pictures, although not illegal, focused inappropriately on certain body parts
Wow...I am amazed at how they slapped him on his hands! A professional that I trusted my child with to uphold an oath...how deceitful and disappointing! I pray for these children and hope they get the healing and closure that they deserve from this!
No comments:
Post a Comment