Doctor Gets 7-15 Years For Criminal Sexual Conduct Involving Patients

CHARLOTTE (WWJ/AP) - A Lansing-area doctor who was convicted of criminal sexual conduct involving several female patients has been sentenced to 7 to 15 years in prison.

Kassem Hallak, 54,  was sentenced Wednesday after being convicted in June on eight of 11 counts involving seven teenaged patients, the youngest of which was 12-years-old at the time. 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.

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

Hallak testified during the trial, denying the accusations and citing his medical records to back up his defense. He declined to speak at his sentencing.

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

Specifically, Hallak was convicted of one count second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and six counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

As part of his sentence, Hallak will have to register as a sexual offender and will be required to have lifetime electronic monitoring, the Lansing State Journal reported.

Elias Muawad, Hallak's attorney, said his client plans to appeal the decision.

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