Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Six more victims accuse reality TV star surgeon and his girlfriend of rape

The district attorney says there could be hundreds more alleged victims

Mythili Sampathkumar
New York
Thursday 20 September 2018 22:42 BST
Comments
Orange County DA Tony Rackauckas says charges have been brought against Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley

Six more women have come out to accuse a former reality TV star surgeon and his girlfriend of rape and sexual assault in southern California.

According to Orange County District Attorney Chief of Staff Susan Kang Schroeder at least 30 more people have called investigators about Dr Grant William Robicheaux, 38, and Cerissa Laura Riley, 31.

The pair has been charged with rape by use of drugs, oral copulation by anaesthesia or controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and sexual assault after two women came forward.

Mr Robicheaux once appeared in a reality TV show called Online Dating Rituals of the American Male, bemoaning the fact a busy surgeon like him had trouble meeting the right woman.

The show aired on Bravo and the network confirmed it only aired for one season and is no longer in production.

Attorneys for the suspects have said they both deny the .

"Dr Robicheaux and Ms Riley believe that such allegations do a disservice to, and dangerously undermine, the true victims of sexual assault, and they are eager to have the proper spotlight shed on this case in a public trial,” Philip Cohen and Scott Borthwick, lawyers for the accused, said in a statement.

Kavanaugh sexual misconduct accuser willing to testify before congress, says her lawyer

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said investigators were reviewing thousands of videos and images on Mr Robicheaux’s phone.

Some videos show women who "appear to be highly intoxicated beyond the ability to consent or resist, and they're barely responsive to the defendant's sexual advances," Mr Rackauckas said.

The two allegedly met women in social settings and eventually the women would end up in Mr Robicheaux’s flat.

Mr Rackauckas claimed "the second defendant, being a female, is key...A woman purporting to be his girlfriend clearly played a significant role in disarming the victims, making them feel comfortable and safe."

The district attorney had shown pictures of the pair in various public places as well played video of Mr Robicheaux’s reality show with the intent to "jog the public's memory".

The first victim alleged the pair met her at a bar in Newport Beach, California, in April 2016. She accused them of drugging her, taking her back to Mr Robicheaux’s apartment, and then raping her. They deny the charges.

She had contacted local police the next day and tested positive for several controlled substances.

A second victim came forward six months later, also in southern California.

Both the doctor and Ms Riley were released on $100,000 bail and are set to appear in court again on 24 October.

Agencies contributed to this report

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in