New York psychologist Boris Mirochnik charged with engaging in sex acts with teenage patient

March 10, 2010

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- An Eltingville psychologist is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with one of his teenage patients.

Police say Boris Mirochnik, 56, engaged in oral and anal sex with the male teen on several occasions between Dec. 1, 2006 and Dec. 1, 2008, during therapy sessions at his home office on Blueberry Lane.

The teen is now 19 years old, a law enforcement source said.

Mirochnik is a Ph.D. and a licensed clinical social worker who operates out of his home.

According to authorities, the teen reported the abuse to police on Feb. 7.

He told investigators that he had waited so long because he was embarrassed, the law enforcement source said.

When interviewed by detectives with the Staten Island Special Victims Squad, Mirochnik admitted that he and the patient displayed their genitalia to each other, but denied touching the teen or having sex with him, the source said.

Mirochnik is claiming that the teen displayed his genitalia first and coaxed him to show his own, the source said.

Authorities have not identified the alleged victim.

Police arrested Mirochnik on Monday afternoon. He’s expected to be arraigned in Stapleton Criminal Court.

He’s charged with third-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree sexual abuse, according to William J. Smith, a spokesman for District Attorney Daniel Donovan.

It’s not clear if the teen was 16 when the abuse started, but under state law, a patient in a counselor-patient relationship is incapable of giving consent for sexual activity.

Source: John M. Annese, www.silive.com, March 10, 2010.