NJ Pain Doc Sexually Abused Patients He Got Addicted: Feds

NEW JERSEY — A New Jersey doctor from Wynnewood, Pa., faces federal charges as authorities said he sexually abused patients whom he made dependent on highly addictive opioids.

Ricardo Cruciani, 63, who has also worked in New York and Pennsylvania, abused at least five patients over the course of 15 years, the indictment states.

"The alleged pattern of abuse in this case is outrageous," New York U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement announcing charges. "[Doctors] take an oath to do no harm. It is difficult to imagine conduct more anathema to that oath."

Cruciani, who specialized in treating pain, gave patients massive doses of the addictive drugs, then threatened to cut off the supply if they demanded the sex abuse stop, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also allege he refused to hand over the medical records of patients who tried to leave, the indictment shows.

Sexual abuse allegations have followed Cruciani for years. He pleaded guilty in 2016 to assaulting seven patients while he served as Drexel University's neurology department chair, court records show.

He entered a plea deal, which allowed him to avoid prison time but sentenced him to seven years' probation and mandated registration as a sex offender.

Cruciani faces criminal charges and 22 civil suits in the three states — New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania — where he maintained offices, attorney Jeffrey Fritz told the Daily Mail.

"All of the checks failed these women," Fritz reportedly said. "The hospitals failed these women every step of the way."

One former patient, currently suing Cruciani in Manhattan's civil court, told the New York Times Cruciani prescribed for her chronic migraines more than 1,300 pills for month.

Another former patient brought a semen-stained shirt to the NYPD, but police refused to pursue the case and classified her as "uncooperative," the Times reported.

The latest civil suit, which represents 12 former patients, also accuses Beth Israel staff in New York of ignoring reports of Cruciani's inappropriate conduct behind closed doors, court records show.

"Cruciani exploited and leveraged his position of trust as a healthcare provider, the significant pain suffered by the victims, and his ability to prescribe or withhold pain medication," the indictment reads.

The neurologist was charged in Manhattan Criminal Court on 16 felony charges that include rape, sex abuse and predatory sexual assault in 2018, courts show.

Cruciani was released on a $1 million bail and his case is pending, according to court records.

He now faces an additional five federal charges, including enticing and inducing individuals to travel interstate to engage in illegal sexual activity, each of which carries a maximum 20-year sentence, prosecutors said.

The U.S. Attorney's office asks anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Cruciani to call (646) 372-0364.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Kathleen Culliton and Justine Heinze

Before you go:

• Send a news tip or correction to: russ.crespolini@patch.com
• Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter.
• Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.