State Board to Try to Revoke Westlake Physician’s License

The Medical Board of California will attempt to revoke the medical license of Westlake pediatrician Stuart M. Berlin, who was arrested this week on suspicion of sexual battery for allegedly fondling women during medical examinations.

“We are investigating the case and we expect to submit our information to the attorney general next week,” said Janie Cordray, a spokeswoman for the board in Sacramento. The board’s investigation has been ongoing for several months, she said.

Berlin, 35, was arrested Tuesday morning by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on one count of sexually battering a 27-year-old Calabasas woman, authorities said.

After being released on bail from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, Berlin was arrested by Ventura County sheriff’s deputies on suspicion of sexual battery involving two more women, and was cited and released.

Cordray said the revocation action is based on the same allegations, which she characterized as “his alleged molestation of the parents of his patients.”

Ventura County Sheriff’s Detective Robert LeMay said Berlin offered to treat the mothers of several of his young patients. When the women agreed, LeMay said, Berlin fondled them “under the guise of medical examinations and treatment.”

The request for revocation will be made on the grounds of “excessive prescribing or treatment or unprofessional conduct and sexual misconduct,” Cordray said.

The revocation proceeding is an administrative process, not a criminal one. If the attorney general agrees that there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, the accusation against Berlin will be sent to an administrative law judge, who will decide whether to revoke the license.

There are considerable delays in handling these cases because there are not enough attorneys general to evaluate all of them, Cordray said. Of the 800 cases awaiting action, she said, half have not yet been filed.

While the cases are being adjudicated, the physician may be allowed to continue practicing.

Reached Wednesday at his home, Berlin said he had no comment on the allegations against him.