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A doctor at New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital has been accused of a series of crimes, including drugging and raping patients under his care. He is also being charged with filming sexual assaults he committed outside of the hospital. 

The allegations shocked the medical community and raised concerns about the safety of patients in healthcare settings.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 33, was employed as a gastroenterologist at the hospital when he was initially accused of rape by his ex-girlfriend. 

The ex-girlfriend stumbled upon a video of her own assault. And she reported it to the police.  The police investigation revealed footage of attacks on other women.

Cheng was arrested in December. And fired by the hospital. He is being held in custody on Rikers Island.

On Monday, the doctor appeared in court in Queens. He faced multiple charges related to six victims. Including three counts of rape, ten counts of predatory sexual assault, seven counts of sexual abuse, and four counts of assault. The victims range in age from 19 to 47.

 Dr. Cheng pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

Authorities believe there may be additional victims across the United States. And possibly even abroad. In some cases, the victims may be unaware of the assaults since they were unconscious during the attacks. 

A separate cache of footage stored on Cheng's hard drive reportedly contains footage of six more unidentified women.

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Drugging and raping patients

The investigation into Dr. Cheng revealed a disturbing arsenal of drugs in his possession. He had stores of surgical anesthesia, fentanyl, ketamine, and LSD. 

Prosecutors allege that the substances were used to incapacitate victims, making them unable to defend themselves against the doctor's assaults. The videos discovered suggest that the attacks took place in various locations, including New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and even Thailand.

His attorney has refrained from commenting on the case, stating that it is too early to provide detailed statements.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz acknowledged the emotional toll this case has taken on the victims, emphasizing the difficulty in discovering that one has been victimized. The accused doctor's actions have left a trail of trauma in their wake, affecting the lives of those who trusted him for medical care.

One victim, represented by attorney Nicholas Liakis, spoke out about her experience. She alleged that Dr. Cheng drugged her through an IV drip, raping her while she was unconscious.

The former patient was 19 at the time of her assault. She and her mom feared she may have been raped in June 2021. And said the hospital initially took her complaint seriously and launched an investigation. But it later "fizzled out."

Liakis emphasized the unimaginable pain of watching a video of oneself being assaulted while in a vulnerable state. He also noted the systemic failure that allowed Dr. Cheng's actions to escalate to this level, characterizing him as a "predator in a white coat."

The hospital, New York Presbyterian, issued a statement saying they are cooperating with the authorities. And they acknowledge their responsibility for patient safety. 

The hospital says it took swift action by terminating Dr. Cheng's employment in the wake of the accusations. And that his actions were a "fundamental betrayal" of their mission and their patients.