A gastroenterologist in New York City is facing multiple charges for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting several women, some of whom were his patients at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital. The shocking details of the case have been revealed, including allegations that the doctor recorded the abuse.
Zhi Alan Cheng, a 33-year-old gastroenterologist, was arraigned on Monday on a 50-count indictment. The charges against him include rape and sexual assault, with alleged incidents taking place between June 2020 and December 2022. The victims include both women who were assaulted at Cheng’s apartment in Astoria and patients at the hospital.
Cheng was arrested and fired from his position at the hospital last December after a woman reported him to the police. She claimed that he had drugged, raped, and videotaped her at his apartment. It was during the investigation that additional evidence, including videos of himself assaulting women, was discovered by authorities.
The videos were found in Cheng’s apartment after one of the victims stumbled upon them. District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office released a statement revealing that the recordings showed the assault of multiple women, including the victim herself. According to the statement, the evidence against Cheng also includes the video of him groping a 19-year-old patient and a seriously ill 47-year-old patient at the hospital.
In addition to the alleged sexual abuse, authorities also found a significant amount of narcotics in Cheng’s apartment, including fentanyl, ketamine, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, propofol, and sevoflurane. These findings suggest that the doctor may have used drugs to sedate his victims.
The scope of the charges against Cheng is extensive, as the District Attorney’s office alleges that there is more video evidence of him assaulting women in various locations, including Westchester County, Manhattan, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Thailand.
Cheng’s lawyer has not yet provided a comment on the matter. However, two legal firms have filed a civil suit against New York and Presbyterian Hospital and New York-Presbyterian/Queens on behalf of one of Cheng’s victims. The suit claims that the hospital failed to take appropriate action to address and prevent further abuse after the victim reported Cheng’s behavior.
New York-Presbyterian has expressed their shock and sadness over the crimes allegedly committed by Cheng. In a statement, they emphasized their responsibility for the safety and well-being of their patients and called the doctor’s actions a betrayal of their mission and their patients’ trust. They confirmed that Cheng was immediately suspended and terminated as soon as the District Attorney informed them of the allegations.
If convicted, Cheng faces multiple sentences of 25 years to life. The District Attorney’s office has described him as a sexual predator and vowed to present the evidence to a jury to ensure justice for the victims.
The case against Cheng serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing sexual abuse in medical settings. It highlights the need for hospitals and medical institutions to promptly and thoroughly investigate any reports of misconduct to ensure the safety and well-being of their patients.
The news of Cheng’s alleged crimes has shocked the community and raised concerns about the potential vulnerabilities patients may face when seeking medical treatment. The ongoing civil suit and the criminal charges against Cheng will hopefully bring about a just resolution for the victims and serve as a deterrent against similar acts of abuse in the future.
