Dr. Robert Kevess pleaded not guilty in Alameda County Superior Court Thursday. Prosecutors say he inappropriately touched the six patients telling them it was for medical purposes.
"There was sexual contact in the course of examinations that was far and beyond appropriate medical procedure," said Susan Torrence wit the Alameda County district attorney's office.
According to the complaint, at times, there was sexual penetration with a foreign object. The men were between the ages of 18 and 42.
"The victims were students at the time the offense occurred. The victims were male," UC Berkeley police Capt. Margo Bennett said.
Kevess' attorney said his client often treated gay men for sexually-transmitted diseases and all procedures performed at the university health services center were necessary and proper.
"We feel the case is grossly overcharged. The plea is not guilty and we will be making motions to dismiss these charges of the complaint," attorney Robert Beles told ABC7.
His lawyer did say that if Kevess engaged in any sexual acts with his patients outside the center, it was consensual. Kevess had worked at the health center for more than 20 years with no complaints until one patient came forward in March. Following an investigation, five others surfaced.
"We are anticipating that there are other victims out there that we hope and urge will come forward as a result of this information we're providing you," Bennett said.
All 22,000 UC Berkeley students have access to the center located on Bancroft Way.
"It's really a facility that serves the entire campus. If somebody is injured in the course of their work day, regardless of who their insurance carrierr is, they can go down to the facility for treatment and care," explained UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof.
Kevess has resigned from his position and his license has been temporarily suspended.
