Doctor Charged with 50 Counts of Drugging and Raping Women: A Disturbing Betrayal of Trust
Queens doctor accused of drugging, filming himself sexually assaulting patients
The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
In a shocking revelation, a gastroenterologist, Zhi Alan Cheng, has been charged with 50 counts of drugging and raping women, including patients at the prestigious New York hospital where he was employed. The assaults were filmed across various locations, including New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Thailand.
Cheng was first arrested in December 2022 and subsequently fired from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Queens. The initial discovery was made by his then-girlfriend, who found and reported videos of him allegedly assaulting her and other women. Further investigation led to the discovery of recreational drugs and anesthetics at his home and a stash of recordings.
On Monday, Cheng appeared in court and was charged with 50 new counts, including rape, sexual abuse, and unlawful surveillance. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The new charges relate to six women, three of whom were patients attacked in the hospital, and three others assaulted at his home. All appeared to be unconscious during the attacks. At least five other unidentified women were filmed being assaulted in various locations, including the United States and Thailand.
Prosecutors fear there may be more unidentified victims, and the district attorney for Queens County, Melinda Katz, urged other victims to come forward.
Cheng's alleged actions include filming himself groping a 37-year-old patient while she lay unconscious and raping a woman he met on a dating app. In another case, he is accused of raping a 19-year-old patient being treated for gallstone-related pain after performing an unnecessary exam and injecting her with an unknown substance.
Many of the women later woke with no memory of what had happened, adding to the horror of the crimes.
Cheng's prosecution follows the sentencing of another doctor from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Robert Hadden, who was jailed for 20 years for abusing 245 women over two decades.
The hospital has expressed its intention to review patient safety policies and implement additional training for all employees.
The allegations against Cheng represent a heinous and fundamental betrayal of patients' trust. The case has sent shockwaves through the medical community and raised serious questions about patient safety and the oversight of medical professionals.
The courage of the victims in coming forward and the diligent work of law enforcement have brought these disturbing crimes to light. However, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance, empathy, and the need for robust systems to protect the vulnerable.
The legal proceedings against Cheng are ongoing, and the full extent of his crimes may yet be revealed. The case stands as a sobering testament to the potential for abuse within the very institutions meant to heal and protect
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