Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Ex-Mt. Sinai Doctor Admits To Sexually Abusing Patients
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 16, 2016
Modified Dec 16, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 16, 2016
Modified Dec 16, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A once respected emergency room physician is facing prison as part of a plea deal in which he admitted drugging and sexually assaulting female patients. Dr. David Newman now faces up to two years in prison; if the case went to trial and he was convicted, his sentence could have been up to seven years.
Dr. David Newman
, a 22-year-old patient visited the hospital's ER for shoulder pain; during her visit, she claimed that after a nurse had given her morphine for pain, Newman gave her another dose even though she told him she was already given some. She said that she heard some noises and felt someone touch her breast and something on her face and mouth before Newman allegedly ejaculated on her.
The patient was very medicated as Newman wiped her off but she kept the hospital blanket and gown, which was later tested and reportedly tested positive for semen.
Soon after, a second patient came forward to say that Newman had molested her and, by late March, he was indicted for sexually assaulting four patients.
Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance said, "I would like to thank these brave women for their strength in coming forward, and encourage any other additional potential victims to call our Sex Crimes Hotline at 212-335-9373."
The DNA on the patient matched Newman's. When detectives questioned him, Newman reportedly had this explanation for why semen was on her face: "I treated that woman in the ER for shoulder pain... I am embarrassed because I wacked off in the lounge, and it was possible that the ejaculate may have gone from my hands to the woman’s blanket... Semen may have also transferred from my hand to her face during the time I treated her."
In court today, Newman revealed that in addition to assaulting and ejaculating on the 22-year-old woman in January, he actually groped her during an earlier visit. He also said he abused three other women. From the Post:
“I administered an unnecessary dose of Propofol [to one victim], causing [her] to be unable to speak or respond, leaving her unconscious and masturbating next to her,” Newman told the judge.
“On three other occasions, I unnecessarily touched the patients during treatment,” Newman added. “These compulsions twisted my brain, and I am so deeply sorry to all of these victims.”
[Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael] Obus told Newman, “You’ve gotten yourself into a very bad position here.”
Newman, a prominent doctor who has given Ted Talks and written an op-ed for the NY Times about gun violence, is free on $50,000 bail. He will be sentenced next month.
Tagged
dr. david newman
mount sinai
plea deal
sexual assault
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
News
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .