Respected radiologist under investigation for rampant sexual misconduct

A respected radiologist has been placed under house arrest after an investigation into sexual assault accusations uncovered rampant predatory behavior. 

Prior to the accusations, Emanuele Michieletti, MD, was head of the Radiology Department at the Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital in Piacenza, Italy. He frequently engaged with local media reporting on health topics and collaborated on research published in numerous medical journals, including Radiology and Neurology. On May 7, he was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting and stalking several of the hospital’s employees, including radiology staff and nurses. Investigators are now describing him as a man who was "constantly distracted by his sexual impulse, who neglected professional duties and patient care." 

Michieletti’s inappropriate behavior was first brought to light after another physician reported an incident with the radiologist in January. That complaint alleges the physician was in Michieletti’s office to discuss vacation plans when he locked the door behind the victim and sexually assaulted her. The encounter was stopped by chance when another physician knocked on Michieletti’s door. 

The victim consulted the department’s management and was encouraged to file a formal complaint. This resulted in officials investigating Michieletti’s behavior without his knowledge, placing hidden cameras in his office and intercepting his phone calls, according to local media. 

Recordings revealed that Michieletti “committed sexual acts with almost all the women who entered his office alone." In just 45 days, investigators documented 32 instances of sexual misconduct. Prosecutors allege that Michieletti would intimidate his victims into silence, using his position of power within the hospital to control staff.

Since the first victim came forward, eight additional staff members have provided similar testimonies. It remains unclear as to how many victims there are in total. The investigation into Michieletti’s crimes is ongoing.