July 16, 2010

DA Rice: Bethpage Pediatrician Accused of Videotaping Naked Young Girls Under Guise of ‘Medical Exams’

Punn videotaped female patients as young as 11-years-old

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that a Bethpage pediatrician and a federally authorized civil surgeon, has been charged with producing child pornography by having girls as young as 11-years-old undress under the guise of medical examinations, and then secretly videotaping and photographing them. Civil surgeons are authorized to perform certified health exams and immunizations on immigrants applying for a change in status.

Dr. Rakesh Punn, 52, of Bethpage, was arrested this morning by members of the Nassau County Police Department’s DA Squad and is charged with Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, Possession of a Forged Instrument, and Unlawful Surveillance. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison for each confirmed victim. Those sentences can run consecutively. He was arraigned today in First District Court, Hempstead and bail was set at $3.5 M bond or $1.75 M cash.

Rice is asking anyone who believes that they might have been a victim of Dr. Punn to contact the NCPD’s Special Victim’s Unit, please call (516) 573-7960.

Rice said that as early as 2007, Punn obtained video footage of at least five young girls in his office. Punn would get video footage in two different manners. First, he would have them get naked, lie on the examining table, and then covering their eyes with gauze and a blindfold, he would videotape his sexual contact with them. Investigators say that Punn touched and manipulated the girl’s genitals.

In other instances, he would have the girl stand in his office, while a small digital camera hidden among objects on his desk recorded video. Punn would then have the girl expose her breasts in various positions while being taped.

The investigation, which is still ongoing, began with a tip to the DA’s Office and is being investigated by the DA Squad and members of the NCPD’s Crimes Against Property Squad. A search of his home revealed a large amount of cash and a forged international driver’s license with his photo, but a false name and birth date.

“He victimized these trusting, young girls in the worse way imaginable,” Rice said. “The long term damage he has caused to untold numbers of patients is still yet to be seen. This is a horrifying case of betrayal by a medical professional. I strongly encourage anyone who feels they may have been a victim of Dr. Punn to contact the Nassau County Police Department immediately.”

Deputy Chief Anne Donnelly of the Economic Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jane Zwirn-Turkin of the Rackets Bureau are handling the case for the DA’s Office. The defendant is represented by Nick Marino, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.