Investigation Ongoing Against Doctor Accused Of Sex Assault In Clinton

Since the news broke Tuesday of the arrest of Dr. Tory Westbrook on felony sexual assault charges, a number of individuals have come to the with allegations of sexual misconduct by the doctor in his examination room, a police spokesman said Wednesday.

“This is a continuing investigation,” said Sgt. Jeremiah Dunn, the police department’s public information officer. “Now, their allegations have to be investigated, and nothing is cut and dry in concrete. But as a result of the news release more potential victims have come forward.”

After turning himself in to Clinton police on Tuesday, Westbrook, 43, of Glastonbury, appeared in Middletown Superior Court to answer to multiple counts of second- and fourth-degree sexual assault .

Dunn said three adult female victims claim Westbrook sexually assaulted them during examination room visits at in Clinton. The assaults occurred between 2010 and January 2012, police said.

The allegations stem from a five-month investigation that involved not only local police, but the Chief State’s Attorney's Office, a Medicaid fraud unit and the state Department of Public Health — which is the agency responsible for overseeing physician licensing in Connecticut.

After his arraignment, the presiding court judge imposed bonds totaling $450,000 on Westbrook, which he later posted and was freed from custody. His case was transferred to Middlesex Superior Court, where more serious cases are tried, and the court imposed three protective orders against him requested by each of the three alleged victims, the Middlesex court clerk said.

Westbrook reportedly declined to comment to reporters after leaving the Middletown court on Tuesday, according to a video posted on The Middletown Press. Calls placed with Westbrook’s attorney, Norman Pattis, were not returned by the time of this posting.

Westbrook is due back in court on June 26.

What’s Happened Since the Arrest

Westbrook served many professional roles in central Connecticut, .

The day Westbrook was arrested, however, East Hampton severed its relationship with the accused doctor, according to Judith Golden, superintendent of schools in East Hampton.

“He has resigned from his consulting role,” Golden told Patch.

The school system paid Westbrook a consulting fee, which allowed for the district’s three nurses to contact him for advice or medical questions, the superintendent said.

“He had no contact with children or with people in the school system,” Golden said. “He was mainly a resource for our nurses.”

The East Haddam Board of Education also stating the district immediately terminated Westbrook’s status as a medical advisor.

“At no time has the district utilized Dr. Westbrook’s services in the consultation or treatment of any student or staff member,” the release stated.

Diana Lejardi, spokesman for the Department of Public Health, said she couldn’t confirm or deny whether Westbrook was subject to an open DPH investigation. She said each case is viewed on an individual basis and, until any such case is resolved, then any such information could be made public.

“Typically in a case of this nature the department does investigate,” Lejardi said.

She also said the investigation doesn’t have to wait until after the court proceedings are through.

“It could be done concurrently,” she said.    

Westbrook served also on a volunteer state board, the SustiNet HealthCare Cabinet, although after this week the state may reconsider his participation.

“It is clear that his participating in the cabinet will not help the state move forward to ensure affordable, accessible care to residents,” said Juliet Manalan, press secretary for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. “The governor is now reviewing the options around this appointment, including Dr. Westbrook’s removal.”

East Haddam-Haddam Patch Editor Wendy Vincent contributed to this report.