NY Psychiatrist Surendra Johri Sentenced on Patient Sex Abuse Charges

June 30, 2019

Utica, NY - Utica psychiatrist Dr. Surendra Johri received no jail time during his sentencing on Friday for sexually abusing two former patients.

In a four-day bench trial in February, Utica City Court Judge Christopher Giruzzi found Johri guilty of two counts of sexual abuse and two counts of forcible touching and Friday afternoon Giruzzi sentenced Johri to six years probation, no jail time.

Johri was in tears both during and after he gave his statement to the judge where he still proclaimed his innocence.

Former patient Allison Ryan of Utica says Johri was inappropriate during what turned out to be her last appointment, "Next thing I know, he’s planting a kiss on my mouth and touching my breasts."

Ryan says Johri then exposed himself, "I couldn’t believe that this was going, like he was doing this to me."

Now the longtime psychiatrist will no longer be practicing, having to forfeit his license.

Former patient Denise Barrett of Herkimer says it was difficult to come forward with the allegations, "I was embarrassed, I felt like maybe I did something wrong to promote this behavior of his."

Barrett says she's glad she did come forward and is satisfied with the sentencing even though Johri received no jail time, "My biggest concern was that he loses his medical license so he can't hurt other patients."

Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara released a statement to News Channel 2 late Friday afternoon saying the following, "We are happy for the victims that he was held accountable. However, we are disappointed that the Court did not give him any jail time."

Johri will be appealing the verdict.

Source: “Utica psychiatrist gets no jail time for sexually abusing two patients,” CBS New Channel 2 (Utica, NY), June 21, 2019. URL: https://www.wktv.com/content/news/Utica-psychiatrist-gets-no-jail-time-for-sexually-abusing-two-patients-511648682.html