Criminal charges are moving forward against a Rockford area doctor accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with several patients at a substance abuse recovery center.
Steven Edward Scranton, 65, waived a preliminary hearing Friday in 63rd District Court on criminal sexual conduct charges, sending the case to Kent County Circuit Court.
He’s accused of fondling at least three women who were patients at West Brook Recovery Center in Grand Rapids Township, which provides addiction treatment. Police launched an investigation in late November when the allegations surfaced.
He’s charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a two-year misdemeanor, and second-degree criminal sexual conduct, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Court records indicate Scranton touched the breasts of at least three female patients. He also discussed sexual activity with one patient and kissed another, court documents show. Investigators say the conduct spanned several months in 2017.
Scranton worked as an independent contractor for West Brook, which offers recovery services in Grand Rapids Township and in Petoskey. A West Brook employee in mid-November approached management about possible improper statements and conduct by Scranton. West Brook terminated Scranton’s contract and rescheduled all of his patients with other physicians.
West Brook then contacted the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and filed a complaint with state regulators, West Brook said in a statement.
Scranton obtained his Michigan medical license in July 1981. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs announced earlier this week Scranton’s license has been suspended.
Allegations against Scranton include inappropriate sexual comments, physical contact and requests for improper favors from patients, according to a news release from LARA. The state says allegations of criminal sexual conduct involve multiple patients over many years.
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