CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A doctor indicted on sexual assault and abuse charges has pleaded not guilty in a West Virginia court.
News outlets report that Dr. Steven Matulis entered the plea Wednesday during his first appearance in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
Putnam County prosecutor Mark Sorsaia said Matulis is charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Sorsaia was put in charge of the case after Kanawha prosecutor Chuck Miller recused his office in 2016.
The lawsuits say most of the patients accuse Matulis of sexually assaulting them while they were unconscious during procedures.
Matulis’ attorney Ben Bailey said the gastroenterologist has practiced medicine for more than 30 years and performed more than 60,000 medical procedures “with virtually no complaints.”
Matulis posted $50,000 bail. His trial was set for Oct. 1.
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