More Than 2,000 Call Police In Md. Gynecologist Taping Case
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore police confirm they have now gotten calls from thousands of patients of a Johns Hopkins gynecologist accused of secretly recording their exams.
Mike Hellgren has more on where many are turning for help.
Thousands of patients have called a police hotline looking for answers and Johns Hopkins has been served with its first lawsuit.
More than 2,000 women have come to police after Dr. Nikita Levy was exposed. Detectives say the once-respected Johns Hopkins gynecologist made photos and videos of their examinations. They confiscated them from his home before he committed suicide.
"I can't even begin to imagine the unimaginable breach of trust that this incident has created for families and patients," said Anthony Guglielmi, Baltimore City Police.
And there are new fears. Police referred many of these women to counselors at TurnAround. The nonprofit center says many patients who now need medical care are fearful of getting it.
"A lot of those women are really struggling. They feel betrayed. They feel confused," said Gail Reid, TurnAround.
WJZ has also learned some lawyers may be discouraging clients from getting counseling.
Johns Hopkins has been served with the first of what's expected to be many lawsuits.
"People often blame themselves, so I think there's a certain amount of `I should have known,'" Reid said. "It's not their fault they ended up in this situation."
Police are working with federal authorities and contacting victims one by one.
"Looking to see if Dr. Levy perhaps sold this material online and if he partnered with anyone else during the commission of this crime," Guglielmi said.
"People have also expressed concern about investigators reviewing the videos," Reid said. "I think we don't know the extent of what happened to some of these victims."
Many face not only a lengthy investigation but also lingering questions, including whether they can trust their doctor again.
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