Pinoy doc accused of groping says claims were ‘malicious’

Dr. Louie Gangcuangco, the Filipino physician accused of sexually harassing a patient at a hospital in Connecticut, denied the claims made against him, which he said were made "maliciously."

"I am not guilty and I have been maliciously accused by a patient with an extensive criminal history who, according to my lawyer, wanted $500,000 to drop the case," Gangcuangco told GMA News Online on Monday.

The Connecticut Post had reported that Gangcuangco was out on probation and was placed in an accelerated rehabilitation program.

In 2016, Gangcuangco was accused of groping a 53-year-old patient and asking him out for dinner when he came in for an examination prior to a wisdom tooth extraction.

Gangcuangco said in a statement that he gave the patient a full physical exam, and was given consent to perform a groin exam needed after some lab results came out as abnormal.

"He even scheduled a follow-up appointment with me after 3 months. One week later, the patient started harassing me on the phone accusing me ‘why did you do that?’ I repeatedly denied his allegations. A few weeks later, I was shocked to see that I had a warrant of arrest," Gangcuangco recounted.

Gangcuangco said that a background check revealed that the patient had an extensive history of violent crimes, including murder. He had also allegedly offered to drop the case in exchange for "hundreds of thousands of dollars."

"My Program Director, the Chairman of Medicine, and even a social worker wrote letters to the  judge to defend me. Unfortunately, it was a struggle getting my contract and J1 visa renewed with the case pending," Gangcuangco said.

"The false accusations did not only cause me so much emotional damage, but most importantly, it hurt my family and the people whom I love," he added.

News reports on his case also made it difficult for him to continue his career and his research on HIV.

"The HIV epidemic is getting out of control and I want to help; but it would be very difficult for me to do my job with all these news," he argued.

"I have the option of working full time in Singapore, going back to the University of Hawaii, or going back to Manila—but I chose to go back to the Philippines because that is where I feel I am needed the most," the doctor continued.

The case was still being heard at the Bridgeport Court. — DVM, GMA News