Authorities in Oakland County, Michigan, have announced the arrest of Dr. Oumair Aejaz, who has been charged with various sex crimes against his patients. According to reports, he placed hidden cameras in various areas where patients and children undressed. At least one allegation also states he sexually assaulted an unconscious patient.
Currently, Dr. Aejaz has been charged with:
- Producing child sexually abusive activity
- Five counts of using computers to commit a crime
- Four counts of distributing or capturing images of an unclothed person
The number of victims who were unknowingly sexually abused by Dr. Aejaz is still being estimated. Prosecutors have warned that he might have abused far more people than even Larry Nassar, the Michigan State University sports doctor who became infamous for sexually abusing athletes in his care. It appears that most of the criminal evidence collected against Dr. Aejaz is from 2023, but it is possible that he has been using hidden cameras for as long as he has been practicing.
Dr. Aejaz is known to have practiced and/or placed hidden cameras at:
- Henry Ford Macomb Hospital (Clinton Township)
- Ascension Genesys Hospital (Grand Blanc)
- Goldfish Swim School
- Detroit Medical Center Sinai-Grace Hospital
- Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital
Police investigators have found cameras placed in changing rooms, hospital rooms, bathrooms, closets, and bedrooms. The earliest footage appears to have been recorded in 2018, which is when he moved to Oakland County after spending a few years in Alabama. Again, it is not known how far back he had been recording patients and children using illegally placed hidden cameras. Even Dr. Aejaz’s wife complained that he had been recording her without her consent; she filed for divorce shortly before the police began their official investigation against him.
Potential Criminal Penalties Dr. Aejaz Might Face
Based on the charges already filed against Dr. Aejaz, it appears he could face between 5 and 20 years of imprisonment if convicted. If he is not granted concurrent sentences, he could potentially be put behind bars for even longer. For more perspective on the criminal penalties Dr. Aejaz might face if convicted, Larry Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison, 40 to 175 years in Ingham County prison, and 40 to 125 years in Eaton County prison for sexual assaults and abuse that harmed more than 300 victims. If the investigation determines that Dr. Aejaz has abused even more people, he could face even more years in prison than Nassar.
Are Medical Institutions Liable for Dr. Aejaz’s Abuses?
In many sexual abuse cases involving a medical practitioner, the medical institutions where they practiced are also held liable for not properly investigating complaints and telltale signs of patient abuse.
With currently available information, it is not clear if any of Dr. Aejaz’s employers knew or reasonably should have known of his sexually abusive practices. For that reason, it is not known if any civil legal action will be brought against them. Matters can always change as investigations continue, though.
Will Dr. Aejaz Be Sued by His Patients?
While Dr. Aejaz – who will likely soon be known as a former doctor – is being prosecuted by the criminal justice system, he will likely have to answer for his alleged abuses in civil court, too. Survivors of sexual abuse and childhood sexual abuse in Michigan may have the right to file injury claims and lawsuits against their abusers, even if no criminal conviction is ever secured by the state. It can be expected that dozens or hundreds of people will come forward soon to demand justice and fair compensation in cases filed against him.
At Grewal Law PLLC, the law firm that gained a heightened nationwide reputation for successfully bringing sexual abuse claims against Nassar, MSU, and U-M, we are asking anyone who thinks they might have a claim against Dr. Aejaz to reach out to our trauma-informed team of attorneys. If you or your child were ever seen by Dr. Aejaz or went to Goldfish Swim School, you might have the grounds to file a claim against him. During a confidential and free case evaluation, we can help you determine your legal options.
Call (888) 211-5798 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation, and confidential case evaluation with our Michigan sexual abuse lawyers.
