Doctor accused of photographing nude patients

A volunteer doctor at an El Cajon clinic under investigation by the state Medical Board was found to have more than 1,300 photos on his cellphone, including “numerous females in an exam room” who were either completely or partially nude, according to court documents.

Photos of women’s breasts, buttocks and genitals were found on the phone of 67-year-old Jeffrey Joel Abrams during a July 3 search of his phone. Also found was a video of a female patient seen masturbating in the exam room, according to a search warrant affidavit filed by state investigator Jose Partida. The investigation of the doctor was first reported by 10News.

Partida said he searched the phone, which Abrams was carrying in his back pants pocket while he was working at the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic in El Cajon. The clinic released a statement saying that Abrams has been placed on leave.

According to court records, Abrams also is being investigated on suspicion of sexual battery of an unconscious person, although no details about those allegations were released.

One patient told investigators that she went to the clinic in January with a complaint of pain in her belly button and that Abrams watched her as she removed her clothing, performed a vaginal exam on her and took about five pictures of her with his cellphone, at one point using his hands to push aside her hair to expose her breast.

That woman, who is married and in her 30s, has hired attorney Jessica Pride. Pride said other victims have contacted her as the case has received media attention.

“They went there seeking medical services and during the medical services they were sexually harassed. My client was sexually harassed and assaulted,” Pride said.

The affidavit quotes a medical board expert reviewer, David Geffner, as describing Abrams’ actions as “extreme departures from the standard of care.”

The state investigator contacted some of the women who were in the photographs on Abrams’ phone and some were aware that the doctor had taken the pictures, but one said she did not know she had been photographed, the affidavit said.

Partida filed the affidavit in early October as he was seeking five years of records for Abrams’ phone.

A spokesman for the District Attorney’s Office said the office can’t comment on any potential investigation. A spokeswoman for the Medical Board of California also said her agency doesn’t comment on ongoing investigations.

Maureen Hartin, the CEO of Volunteers in Medicine, issued a statement saying that Abrams is on a leave of absence.

“We recently became aware of an investigation of one of our volunteer medical providers. Our clinic and staff have cooperated fully with the California Medical Board investigators. Once we were informed, the doctor was put on an immediate leave of absence,” she said in the statement. “While very troubling these allegations are to our free medical clinic, they certainly are not a reflection of the outstanding work that over 100 volunteers who care for our patients on a daily basis.”

Abrams could not be reached for comment.