A doctor who practiced in Moline, Illinois has been accused of engaging in sexual acts with a female patient who “suffers from mild to moderate mental retardation,” according to a formal complaint from an Illinois state board that oversees licensed professionals.
Dr. Benjamin Schnurman, D.O. has been accused of engaging in sexual acts with the patient, who he treated for about 22 years from 1992 until August of 2014, according to the complaint from the Department of Financial Aid Professional Regulation of the State of Illinois. The complaint was filed on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.
Schnurman held a practice in Moline at 615 35th Avenue.
"On numerous occasions during office visits, [Dr. Schnurman] engaged in sexual intercourse... with [the patient] in the examination room," the complaint said.
Dr. Schnurman would see the patient multiple times per year for Special Olympics physicals as well as for other medical complaints like knee pain, the complaint said.
The complaint indicated that, during one specific incident from July of 2014, Dr. Schnurman had intercourse with the patient after he pulled down his pants and indicated that he wanted to have sex.
"On other occasions when [Dr. Schnurman] had sexual intercourse with [the patient, he] told her not to tell her husband," the complaint said.
The complaint also said that Dr. Schnurman would give the patient breast exams without a nurse in the room.
Click here to read the full complaint against Dr. Benjamin Schnurman - **Editor's note: Document contains graphic depictions of the allegations
The complaint indicated that Dr. Schnurman is still licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of the State of Illinois. The department's Chief of Medical Prosecutions, Laura E. Forester, would like to see Dr. Schnurman's license suspended, taken away, or see him otherwise disciplined, according to the complaint.
Dr. Schnurman was ordered to appear in front of a judge for the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary Board on Monday, April 25, 2016 in Chicago.
As of Friday afternoon, March 25, Dr. Schnurman had not returned our request for comment.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this report incorrectly stated that Dr. Schnurman was a "former" doctor in Moline. His practice is still active.