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News Release — March 26, 2004
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
March 26, 2004
Medical
Board Revokes License
of Chula Vista Physician
SACRAMENTO—The Medical Board of California has revoked the medical license of Luis Juarez Perez, M.D., of Chula Vista. The decision becomes effective today, March 26, 2004.
On September 23, 2003, in response to a Petition filed by the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of the Medical Board of California, Presiding Administrative Law Judge Steven V. Adler issued an order suspending the medical license of Perez. The order was based upon a finding that, among other things, permitting Perez to continue to engage in the practice of medicine would endanger the public health, safety, and welfare. The Petition, filed by Deputy Attorney General Thomas S. Lazar, alleged that Perez committed multiple acts of sexual abuse and misconduct in violation of Business and Professions Code section 726, as well as multiple acts of gross negligence and general unprofessional conduct in violation of Business and Professions Code section 2234, in his care and treatment of a single female patient. In particular, the Petition alleged that on January 4, 2003, Perez sexually abused this patient who had come to his office to receive a laser hair removal treatment. Among other things, the Petition and supporting documents alleged that Perez had the patient lie naked on the examination table, made inappropriate comments to her, inappropriately touched her, sexually assaulted her, and orally copulated her. The Petition also alleged that, at the time of the sexual abuse and misconduct, the patient was under the influence of medications that Perez had provided to her earlier. Perez has remained suspended from the practice of medicine since September 23, 2003.
The full administrative hearing on the disciplinary charges filed against Perez was held on January 26-30, 2004, in San Diego. On February 25, 2004, the Medical Board adopted the 27-page decision of Administrative Law Judge James Ahler finding Perez guilty of sexual abuse and misconduct, gross negligence, and general unprofessional conduct in his care and treatment of this patient and concluding that the revocation of Perez's medical license "is the only measure of discipline that will adequately protect the public." Perez also was ordered to pay $42,600 to the Medical Board for its costs of investigation and enforcement of the case.
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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.
If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the Board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.
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