Doctor Convicted Of Criminal Sexual Conduct

CHARLOTTE (WWJ/AP) - A Lansing-area doctor faces up to 15 years in prison after being convicted of criminal sexual conduct involving several female patients.

The Lansing State Journal and WILX-TV report Kassem Hallak, 45, was convicted Wednesday of eight of 11 counts following a trial that lasted more than three weeks.

Two of the counts Hallak was found guilty on involved the same victim. He was acquitted of three counts involving other female patients.

During the trial, witnesses testified about various sexual crimes, ranging from groping to rape, that in most of the cases took place at the Charlotte Medical Center and Urgent Care.

The youngest victim was 12 years old at the time.

A 14-year-old girl told police Hallak, at the Eaton Rapids Medical Center in 2003, spanked and kneaded her buttocks.  Another girl said Hallak was giving her a school sports physical when he grabbed her crotch.

Another woman said Hallak pinned her legs to an exam table and sexually assaulted her as she sought treatment for back pain in 2010.

Defense lawyer Elias Muawad said he thought he proved to the jury that the witnesses had no credibility. He said they had lied on the stand. Hallak testified during the trial, denying the accusations and citing his medical records to back up his defense.

Hallak's medical license has been suspended since December 2011, when the charges first were filed.

Sentencing is set for July 31 before Judge Janice Cunningham.

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