PSYCHOLOGIST HANDS IN LICENSE.Byline: Jeannette DeSantis Daily News Staff Writer A psychologist accused of sexual misconduct sexual misconduct Professional ethics Any behavior that violates a health professional's ethics through sexual contact of physician and his/her Pt. See Professional boundaries. , dishonesty dis·hon·es·ty n. pl. dis·hon·es·ties 1. Lack of honesty or integrity; improbity. 2. A dishonest act or statement. Noun 1. and violating the professional confidence of Erik and Lyle Menendez surrendered his license without admitting to any of the charges against him, officials said Friday. L. Jerome Oziel agreed to surrender his license after brokering a deal with the state Department of Consumer Affairs' Board of Psychology to end any disciplinary action against him, said Deputy Attorney General Nancy Ann Stoner ston·er n. 1. One that stones. 2. Slang a. One who is habitually intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. b. One who is a delinquent or failure. . The board's action was rare. Last year, there were 584 complaints, resulting in 26 formal accusations. Only four therapists surrendered their licenses. The board had charged Oziel with violating the confidence of the Menendez brothers, sharing information he had received in confidence from the brothers with a female patient and allowing her to secretly listen in and tape his therapy sessions with the brothers. In 1993, Oziel claimed that the brothers told him in those sessions that they killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, out of hatred and a desire to rid themselves of their father's domination. Oziel testified in the brothers' first murder trial that Erik and Lyle made no mention of their father's alleged physical and sexual abuse that they later claimed were the reasons for killing their parents. The Menendez brothers were later convicted in a retrial retrial n. a new trial granted upon the motion of the losing party, based on obvious error, bias or newly-discovered evidence. (See: newly-discovered evidence) and are now both serving life prison terms without the possibility of parole for the 1989 shotgun slayings. In addition to accusations of confidentiality breaches, the board accused Oziel of engaging in business and sexual relationships with two female patients from 1987 to 1990. He also is accused of allegedly supplying both women with controlled substances controlled substance n. a drug which has been declared by federal or state law to be illegal for sale or use, but may be dispensed under a physician's prescription. and physically assaulting them. One of those women, Judalon Smyth, who overheard the brothers' confession in Oziel's office, was the first to turn the information over to the Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. Police Department. Smyth filed a civil lawsuit against Oziel stemming from the accusations but that suit was settled and sealed in 1993. Oziel, who has not practiced psychology in California for the past two years and has relocated to Arizona, may petition the board for a reinstatement Reinstatement The restoration of an insurance policy after it has lapsed for nonpayment of premiums. of his license in three years, Stoner said. He can also obtain a psychology license in another state, but the surrender of his California license will be fed into a national database for licensing boards, Stoner said. ``It is not uncommon for someone who faces serious charges to stipulate stip·u·late 1 v. stip·u·lat·ed, stip·u·lat·ing, stip·u·lates v.tr. 1. a. To lay down as a condition of an agreement; require by contract. b. to surrender their license,'' Stoner said. ``It is frequently used as a means to terminate any disciplinary action being taken against them.'' Oziel could not be reached for comment, but his attorney, Bradley Brunon, said his client ``strongly denies that he ever mistreated any patient.'' Brunon said Oziel agreed to surrender his license because to fight the charges would have cost Oziel more than $100,000. ``Unfortunately, the damage to his reputation had been done,'' Brunon said. ``Even if he had prevailed in the administrative hearing administrative hearing n. a hearing before any governmental agency or before an administrative law judge. Such hearings can range from simple arguments to what amounts to a trial. There is no jury, but the agency or the administrative law judge will make a ruling. , it wouldn't have undone the damage.'' Brunon said Oziel has ``no plans to practice psychology'' in the future. |
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