Doctor Facing Rape Charges Loses License
A Brentwood physician awaiting trial on rape and sexual assault charges has lost his medical license after a judge ruled that he deliberately victimized five female patients, authorities said Wednesday. Dr. Yahya (Joe) Lavi, 53, may no longer practice medicine in California effective June 13, based on a recent decision by the state Medical Board to revoke his license.
The case marks one of the first times in recent history that the state has succeeded in revoking a doctor’s license through civil action, before the outcome of a criminal trial, Deputy Atty. Gen. Nancy Ann Stoner said Wednesday.
Lavi’s criminal trial is set to begin Monday in Superior Court, but his lawyers plan to ask for a continuance to allow him to recover from a recent hernia surgery. He has been charged with five misdemeanor sexual battery counts and 10 felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, forcible rape and forcible oral copulation.
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