Casper woman sues federal government over hiring of predatory gynecologist

A Casper woman has filed suit against the federal government, alleging a local medical clinic was negligent in its hiring of a gynecologist later convicted of sexually assaulting his patients.

A Natrona County jury in January of last year found Dr. Paul Harnetty guilty of sexually assaulting two of his patients. He is now serving a 20- to 30-year prison term. Tosha Blackburn, who brought the lawsuit Friday, was one of six women who testified at the criminal trial that Harnetty had assaulted them. Jurors, however, found Harnetty not guilty of the count that pertained to Blackburn’s allegations.

In February, state legislators passed a bill sponsored by Debbie Bovee, D-Casper, strengthening criminal penalties for medical providers convicted of sexually assaulting patients. The legislation also mandated that licensing boards review rules pertaining to the use of chaperones in health care settings. When the law passed, Bovee credited Blackburn with inspiring the legislation.

The Star-Tribune does not typically identify people who may have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward to identify themselves. However, Blackburn has made her case public, testifying before state lawmakers and telling her story in the Star-Tribune.

Read more: https://trib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/casper-woman-sues-federal-government-over-hiring-of-predatory-gynecologist/article_b634e91d-fa1f-5b72-8757-a117ab059b46.html
(Casper Star Tribune)