Psychologist indicted for sexual misconduct; coerced patient into sex act under threat of extended hospitalization

February 8, 2011

A psychologist at a southwest suburban mental health center was ordered was formally charged Friday with sexual misconduct with a disabled patient.

Dr. Robert Eizenga, 66, of Tinley Park, was charged Jan. 19 with one count each of sexual misconduct with a disabled person and official misconduct, according to Chicago Police.

On Jan. 20, he was ordered held on $150,000 bond, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Add on Friday, Eizenga was indicted on the charges, according to state’s attorney’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton.

Eizenga, a forensic psychologist, has been employed by the state Dept. of Human Services for more than 20 years, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

At the time of the alleged incidents, he was working at the Tinley Park Mental Health Center at 7400 W. 183rd St. as court liaison to the state’s attorney’s office and the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.

Court records show that on April 25, 2010, a 45-year-old woman was admitted as an inpatient suffering from depression. A few days after she was admitted, Eizinga took her into a conference room and said he would try to help her.

A couple of days later, he told the victim he had a “sex addiction,” was going to get divorced and was going make the victim “feel better.” He allegedly pulled his chair closer to hers, rubbed her leg and said he could get her a job, prosecutors said.

He then fondled her, exposed himself and told the victim to perform a sex act on him, threatening that he could keep her in the facility or send her to the Read Mental Health Center if she did not comply, prosecutors allege.

She performed oral sex because she believed he would force her to remain at the center, though she was there voluntarily. prosecutors said.

After a second similar encounter, the victim told her sister, who made numerous calls to the center trying to have her sister discharged. On the day the victim was discharged, Eizenga went to her room and gave her $20 and his business card, prosecutors said.

Eizenga later called the woman and bought her a cell phone using the name “Sam Doe.’’ He later gave her $100 to “keep her mouth shut,’’ court records show. On May 12, 2010, the victim called the facility to make a complaint and Eizinga was placed on administrative leave.

On Oct. 13, an Illinois State Police Special Agent placed Eizenga under arrest and he gave a handwritten statement admitting he told the victim he had a sex addiction and was getting divorced, but he claimed the victim wanted to have sex with him.

He admitted he fondled her and gave her $20, but said the woman asked for $500 and a bus ticket to Atlanta, according to the state’s attorney’s office. He said he then stopped communicating with her.

Source: "Psychologist indicted for sexual misconduct with patient," Chicago Sun-Times, February 4, 2011.