PALO ALTO — A San Jose doctor going through prosecution on allegations he sexually abused two underage ladies within the late 2000s has now been charged with sexually assaulting a former worker at their office, prompting investigators to hunt different potential unreported victims, authorities mentioned.
Naeem Ul Islam Hashmi, 61, of Palo Alto, was charged earlier this month with one felony rely of sexual penetration by drive involving an allegation in 2016. That assault was reported by a lady who as soon as labored for Hashmi, in line with Palo Alto police and court docket information.
The brand new cost is along with 4 felony costs of lewd and lascivious acts with a toddler beneath 14, based mostly on allegations that in and round 2007, he sexually abused two ladies who investigators say he knew “by group and household connections.” One of many charged assaults allegedly occurred at his medical workplace in San Jose the place the reported sufferer was working as volunteer.
Each sequence of assault allegations surfaced previously 12 months. Palo Alto police say one of many victims from 2007 got here ahead in August to accuse Hashmi of sexually assaulting her when she was 12 and 13 years previous. The following investigation recognized one of many sufferer’s buddies, additionally underage on the time, as one other particular person allegedly assaulted by Hashmi.
Hashmi was arrested and booked in December, however was allowed to stay out of jail custody. Police say that a follow-up investigation revealed the third sufferer, a lady in her 40s who labored for Hashmi. The felony cost stemming from her account was filed June 1.
Hashmi’s lawyer, Raphael Goldman, mentioned his shopper is preventing the costs.
“Dr. Hashmi continues to claim his innocence of all costs and appears ahead to clearing his identify in court docket,” Goldman mentioned in an announcement. “Past that, now we have no additional remark presently.”
Police introduced the brand new cost in opposition to Hashmi on Thursday; they didn't publicize the preliminary baby sexual assault costs when that arrest was made. Hashmi was arraigned in February. His subsequent court docket date is scheduled for July 11.
An individual who picked up the telephone at Crescent Medical Heart, the San Jose-based medical observe the place Hashmi labored, mentioned nobody on the workplace was instantly obtainable to touch upon Hashmi’s employment standing or the felony costs.
Based mostly on the character of the case and the way it unfolded, Palo Alto police are exploring the potential of extra victims. Investigators ask that anybody with data for investigators name 650-329-2413, or depart a tip by electronic mail at paloalto@tipnow.org or by textual content or voicemail at 650-383-8984.