Man Accused of Illicit Gynecological Exams

A 51-year-old man has been charged with practicing medicine without a license, including performing gynecological exams, and investigators said Friday they there may be as many as 300 victims.

Salvatore Anthony D’Onofrio was arrested at his home Thursday afternoon following a weeklong investigation that began when one of his clients told police that she had been fondled during an exam, Police Sgt. Bob Rahaeuser said.

Police, joined by investigators from the Medical Board of California, determined that D’Onofrio was not licensed to practice in California and obtained a search warrant. At his home, they found a client list of about 300 men and women, Rahaeuser said.

Detectives are trying to contact everyone on the list.

At least five women told police that D’Onofrio told them to undress, examined their breasts and took blood, urine and saliva samples. He diagnosed ailments such as yeast infections and chemical imbalances, Rahaeuser said, and prescribed a variety of holistic treatments, including “spraying nude victims with an unknown solution and probing body cavities with various objects.”

“This appears to be developing into an extensive investigation involving many victims,” Rahaeuser said.

D’Onofrio’s 49-year-old girlfriend, Sandra Hart, said he is “kind and gentle with emotions and feelings” and would not have done anything to hurt anybody.”

“It’s ludicrous, the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” Hart said. “He was trained in neuropathic medicine, natural herbs and stuff like that. He’s been doing it for years.”

Hart said most of D’Onofrio’s clients are referrals, and “why would anyone refer their friends if they didn’t trust him, you know what I mean?”

“I have spoken to him, he just says ‘Get me out of here,’ ” Hart said. “He doesn’t have his vitamins, anything. He’s used to eating natural holistic foods, and he doesn’t have any of that.”

D’Onofrio is charged with practicing medicine without a license and conducting gynecological exams on women who thought that he was licensed medical professional, police said. He is being held at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $150,000 and his arraignment is scheduled for Monday at South County Municipal Court.