SAGINAW, Mich. (WJRT) – A Mid-Michigan doctor is facing a civil lawsuit as he is accused of sexual assault.
The allegations are in a civil lawsuit filed against Dr. Arun Veera of the Saginaw area and the health care organization that once was affiliated with him.
The Michigan Board of Medicine has suspended his license. The lawsuit has been filed by one alleged victim, but a state investigation indicates others have complained.
“The allegations are of a very serious sexual nature,” said attorney Errick Miles
This lawsuit filed by a young woman from the Saginaw area, who ABC12 is not identifying, is making serious allegations against Veera. He was employed at Covenant HealthCare and worked out of an office in Saginaw Township.
The woman began seeing Veera in 2016, but Miles said the first signs of inappropriate behavior began in 2019 when the alleged victim was about 20 years old.
“Regarding touching and inappropriate comments, and inappropriate communications with patients outside of the medical office,” Miles said.
The lawsuit states the woman had her father come to an appointment with her shortly after the behavior began, which she claims upset Veera. There are four counts in the lawsuit, including assault and battery and medical malpractice.
“There is evidence to suggest there are more victims at this time,” Miles said.
That evidence appears to be in a Michigan Board of Medicine administrative complaint, which details the allegations made by the woman in the lawsuit and indicates two other patients also filed complaints.
The two patients accuse Veera of similar actions. According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website, Veera’s medical license has been suspended.
Covenant HealthCare also is named in the lawsuit. Miles claims the health care system was aware of a previous complaint against Veera.
“Had Covenant acted appropriately at the time that they had notice of Dr. Veera’s inappropriate comment, at least one of the assaults on my client would not have occurred,” Miles said.
Veera nor his attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday. It’s not clear when Covenant severed ties with Veera.
A Covenant spokesperson said it does not comment on pending litigation. They will cooperate with any investigation into this matter.