Class Action Lawsuit Over Hopkins Gynecologist Moves Forward
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In a stunning new development, WJZ learns there may be as many as 9,000 victims of a Johns Hopkins gynecologist.
Dr. Nikita Levy killed himself after allegations surfaced that he secretly videotaped his patients during exams.
Mike Hellgren tells us what else his victims claim he did to them.
They say he performed extra exams and touched them inappropriately. Now, a class action settlement process is moving forward in the case, with the lawyers representing the victims praising Johns Hopkins.
Investigators say gynecologist Nikita Levy used a pen camera to record exams at Johns Hopkins' East Baltimore Medical Center. The FBI is still sifting through thousands of images on Levy's computer.
There may be 9,000 victims, and their lawyers are now working to settle the class action case through a mediator.
"I think these women are in fear of getting their pap smears and their examinations. We have women who are in fear of seeing any physician," said Jonathan Schochor, victims' lawyer.
"He always smiled. Every time he was checking my privates. he smiled," a former patient said. "When I went for my appointments, there would never be another nurse in there. It's just be him. Just me and him."
The lawyers say it went beyond videotaping--that Dr. Levy would say inappropriate, unprofessional things during exams.
They're unsure whether any of the recordings were sold or placed online. Levy was well respected. WJZ found his medical files showed no previous complaints.
"Looks can be deceiving. He was very nice. Very, very nice. I actually recommended him," a former patient said.
Those representing the victims complimented Johns Hopkins for trying to move the case forward and provide closure for the many victims.
"Our job is to ensure our clients are treated fairly, are fully compensated for the harm they've sustained," said Howard Janet, victims' lawyer. "The court will ultimately be the final determiner of whether we've done what we needed to do."
Those lawyers will not discuss compensation. They did say some of the victims were minors.
Related Link: Take A Closer Look At The Documents
The case blew open in February, when a co-worker of Levy's noticed something suspicious and reported it to Hopkins security.
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