OXNARD : Judge Can’t Revoke Therapist’s License
Superior Court Judge Frederick A. Jones ruled Tuesday that he had no authority to revoke the license of Dennis Schwartz, an Oxnard physical therapist convicted of sexually molesting one of his patients.
Jones allowed the 32-year-old Camarillo man to remain free until he is sentenced Dec. 22.
In the meantime, Schwartz’s lawyers are seeking a new trial on grounds that the judged erred when he allowed the jury to hear about a consensual sexual relationship Schwartz had with another patient. Jones will also decide that motion Dec. 22.
Schwartz faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison after a jury convicted him last summer of sexually assaulting one of his patients under the guise of professional care.
The patient accused Schwartz of molesting her while he delivered a doctor-prescribed massage.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron S. Bamieh urged Jones to revoke Schwartz’s license. But Jones said the authority to do that lies with the state Physical Therapy Examining Committee. That committee is investigating the matter.
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