Oregon Doctor Who Allegedly Abused Over 120 Patients Won’t Face Charges, Grand Jury Decides

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The 64-year-old West Linn Doctor accused by more than 100 patients of abusing them over several decades will not face criminal charges, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said Saturday.

A grand jury decided that there was insufficient evidence to prove the alleged sexual abuse and misconduct by Dr. David B. Farley, the district attorney’s office said in a statement. The jury received testimony from 41 witnesses.

The grand jury returned a “not true bill” on each of the charges, meaning that the prosecution cannot prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, according to the DA’s office.

“The grand jury’s conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to prove the elements of these crimes beyond a reasonable doubt was not an indication that the victims who testified were not believed,” the DA’s office wrote.

The case dates back to late 2019, when the first complaint came to the Oregon Medical Board, which regulates doctors, accusing Farley of conducting improper pelvic exams on minors.

Former patients Katie Medley, Lisa Pratt and Nicole Snow filed additional complaints with the board in August 2020, alleging that Farley conducted ungloved and unnecessary pelvic exams, fondled their breasts and had done check-ups in his bedroom at home.

Farley, a Harvard Medical School graduate, sent a letter to patients abruptly announcing his retirement in August 2020 and did not mention that he was under investigation by the Oregon Medical Board.

Medley, Pratt and Snow filed the civil lawsuit against Farley for the alleged sexual abuse and battery, and the places he worked for being negligent in concealing his misconduct. Other former patients have joined them in speaking out. The Oregonian/OregonLive typically does not identify sex abuse victims but the women agreed to speak publicly.



More than 120 former patients have since joined the suit and are accusing Farley of similar sexual abuse during his work at West Linn Family Health Clinic, Legacy Meridian Park Hospital and Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, court records show.

Former patients told The Oregonian/OregonLive that Farley gained their trust by treating them like family. They described him as a master manipulator and said he groomed his patients to convince them his behavior was medically necessary. The lawsuit details alleged abuse involving patients as young as 5.

West Linn Police began investigating in September 2020. A few days later, the medical board recommended disciplining Farley for allegedly violating the Medical Practice Act by engaging in sexual misconduct, providing medical treatment contrary to acceptable standards and repeatedly ordering unnecessary treatment.

In October 2020, the board revoked his license and issued a $20,000 civil penalty against Farley for unprofessional conduct and repeated negligence.

Farley admitted to taking photos of the genitals and breasts of five patients, all under 18, according to board records. He claimed he provided consent forms for the minor’s parents to sign but could not provide the records. Farley said he deleted the photos from his phone and shredded the consent forms, according to board documents.

He moved to Idaho shortly after he announced his retirement, but continued to call patients after he moved, Medley reported.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reached out to Tom D’Amore, the attorney representing the patients in the civil suit, but he did not return a call Saturday.

D’Amore told West Linn Tidings that the $570 million lawsuit against Farley and the medical institutions where the alleged abuse took place would continue. He said it was still possible for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon to pursue federal charges against Farley, according to West Linn Tidings.