WESTLAKE : Doctor Convicted in Molestation Case

A former Westlake pediatrician was sentenced to six months in jail Thursday for molesting three east Ventura County women in his medical office.

Stuart M. Berlin, 36, also was fined $2,000 and ordered to continue undergoing psychiatric treatment. A Ventura County Municipal Court jury convicted Berlin of the three misdemeanor sexual battery charges Oct. 30. The jury deadlocked on three other counts involving a Calabasas woman.

According to testimony at a five-day trial, Berlin fondled the women in June or July of 1991 after they complained of headaches or problems with breast-feeding.

On Thursday, the physician’s attorney, Timothy J. Quinn, asked Judge Barry B. Klopfer to allow Berlin to perform community service instead of jail time. He said Berlin had closed his practice, given up his career and spent all of his resources to obtain psychiatric treatment. Berlin’s medical license has been suspended pending the outcome of the court case.

“He has lost everything,” Quinn said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. William G. Karr urged the judge to impose the six-month jail term and $2,000 fine recommended by the county probation department. “He has not shown a sincere understanding and remorse for the impact on his victims,” Karr said.

Klopfer agreed, noting that in his trial testimony, Berlin essentially claimed that the women had invited his advances. “After listening to the trial, the court reaches the conclusion that the defendant is extremely manipulative and a prevaricator of the truth,” Klopfer said.

Quinn said he will appeal the convictions on grounds that the jury was improperly instructed. Berlin, who had been released on a promise to appear in court, was taken to jail after the judge set his appeal bond at $25,000.