Ann Arbor psychologist David Falkner charged with sexual assault of patient

February 7, 2013

An Ann Arbor psychologist has been charged with sexually assaulting a patient, court records show.

Sixty-one-year-old David Falkner, of Ann Arbor, was arraigned Monday on four counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct by Judge Elizabeth Hines in the 15th District Court, according to court records.

The charges listed in the warrant indicate the victim was a patient. According to state law, a mental health professional cannot engage in sexual contact during or two years after a patient is in treatment. The consent of the victim is not a defense in these cases.

Police say the victim is a woman older than 18 but would not release details about the case Wednesday evening.

“The department received a complaint of an inappropriate relationship,” Ann Arbor police Sgt. Earle Fox said. “That complaint was investigated by our detective division and was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office, which authorized the charges.”

Falkner retired a few years ago from Ann Arbor Public Schools, where he had worked as either a social worker or psychologist, said district spokeswoman Liz Margolis.

He has a private psychology practice in downtown Ann Arbor, according to his website.

"...Falkner has been providing professional psychological services to the young people and families of the Ann Arbor community for over 30 years," the site says. "For 25 years as a school psychologist in public service, and for fifteen years as a clinical psychologist in private practice, he has offered diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that effectively integrate the best of these two fields.

"In working with a wide range of clients, his eclectic approach incorporates both psycho-dynamic and cognitive-behavioral perspectives in the assessment and treatment process."

Phone and email messages left for Falkner Wednesday evening were not returned.

Falkner is free on a personal recognizance bond and has a court date scheduled for Feb. 28, according to court records. The four charges are high-court misdemeanors each punishable by two years of imprisonment or a fine up to $500.

Source: John Counts, "Ann Arbor psychologist charged in sexual assault of patient," AnnArbor.com, February 7, 2013.