Brooklyn fertility doc accused of breast, genital ‘examinations' with no medical need

Three former patients are suing a vaunted Brooklyn fertility doctor, alleging he performed “examinations” of their breasts and genitals without gloves that “served no legitimate medical purpose.”

In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, three women identified as “Jane Doe 1,” Jane Doe 2,” and “Jane Doe 3” accuse Dr. Richard Grazi of “forcibly grabbing, groping, and molesting” them during medical appointments in the early 2000s.

The former patients, who are all members of Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish community, say the alleged sexual abuse took place when they were between 18 and 23 years old and seeking help getting pregnant.

Helene Weiss, the attorney representing all three former patients, described the allegations in the complaint as unnecessary, lengthy touching intended for the doctor’s own sexual gratification.

“He would stay in the room with some of them and undress them himself,” Weiss said. “He would take his bare hands and do five-minute breast exams with no gloves on and do horrible things to their nipples. That was completely inappropriate and we know is well outside the scope of what the medical care is.”

Grazi, who has not been charged with any crime, did not immediately respond to questions from the NBC New York I-Team, but his legal team sent an emailed statement.

“Dr. Grazi categorically denies the allegations made against him in this lawsuit,” wrote attorney James Nikraftar. “Throughout his career, Dr. Grazi has helped thousands of women build their families. He has treated patients with care and professionalism, and that is exactly what the facts will show.”

On Google, dozens of patient reviews show Grazi’s clients expressing satisfaction with the doctor’s care.

“One of the most experienced, generous & professional doctors and staff I have ever had,” wrote one patient. “Dr. Grazi was a very precise, passionate and thorough physician,” wrote another.

“23 years ago my 1st miracle child was born,” wrote yet another patient, “Dr. Grazi made my dream come true…”

But one of the “Jane Doe” plaintiffs said Grazi exploited his reputation for good medical results to gain the trust of young female patients frustrated by fertility challenges.

“He’s very charismatic. I think he had very high success rates with IVF and helping people get pregnant in different ways,” she said. “He 100 percent abused that trust. He abused his position of power and his position in the community to abuse women of the community.”

According to videos posted by Maimonides Health, Grazi formerly served as the director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility at Maimonides Medical Center. He was also listed as the founder of Genesis Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, a Bensonhurst clinic specializing in IVF, egg freezing, and surrogacy services.

Maimonides and Genesis are both named as co-defendants in the lawsuit.

A spokesperson for Maimonides emailed a short statement.

“We cannot comment on active litigation, but can confirm that Dr. Richard Grazi is not a Maimonides employee and does not have privileges here,” it said.

Representatives for Genesis did not immediately respond to calls and emails from the I-Team, but a receptionist who answered the clinic’s phone said Grazi retired in May. A representative for Pinnacle Fertility, a health network that recently partnered with Genesis, said Grazi has never been affiliated with the company.

“Dr. Grazi’s employment with the Genesis Fertility clinic ended prior to the clinic’s establishment of its new professional relationship with the Pinnacle Fertility Network,” wrote Jesse Henderson, Pinnacle Fertility’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Pinnacle Fertility had absolutely no awareness of any allegations of sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct by Dr. Grazi in his prior role as the founder of Genesis Fertility.”

According to New York’s Department of Health website, Dr. Grazi remains licensed to practice medicine.

One of the “Jane Doe” plaintiffs said she made a complaint about Grazi to the state’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct in 2010 or 2011, but there is no record of any substantiated complaint on the state’s “Physician Search” website.

The New York Health Department did not answer questions about Jane Doe’s alleged complaint, instead emailing a statement outlining the agency’s disclosure rules.

“The New York State Department of Health takes all allegations of medical misconduct seriously and follows the statutory process to ensure a fair, impartial and thorough investigation aimed at protecting the health and safety of patients,” it read. “New York State Public Health Law prohibits the New York State Department of Health from discussing or providing any details or records pertaining to any investigation, complaint, or prosecution, beyond what is published on the public website.”

Weiss said she believes what her three clients experienced inside Grazi’s office would have constituted sex crimes in the early 2000s when the conduct is alleged to have happened. She’s now encouraging Brooklyn prosecutors to investigate.

“What he did was criminal, to be extremely clear. What he did was criminal,” Weiss said.

In response to an inquiry from the I-Team, the Brooklyn district attorney’s office said the allegations outlined in the civil lawsuit against Grazi describe conduct that would now be beyond the criminal statute of limitations.

Brooklyn prosecutors generally encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of a sex crime to come forward and report.