Zvi Levran, known as “Hockey Doc” due to his extensive medical assistance to youth hockey teams in Michigan and Minnesota, is set to face trial on charges of sexual assault involving former hockey patients.
Zvi Levran’s Criminal Sexual Conduct
Zvi Levran is facing 22 counts of third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct related to 10 former hockey players. Despite the accusations, he denies any wrongdoing, The Associated Press reported.
During the preliminary hearing that concluded in Farmington Hills District Court near Detroit, witnesses testified that the alleged sexual assaults occurred when they were teenagers and adults seeking medical care. Judge James Brady highlighted that each incident seemed to serve the purpose of satisfying the doctor’s sexual desires and that the victims had placed significant trust in him.
Zvi Levran’s defense attorney, Jonathan Jones, argued in court that touching a person’s genitals in a medical context does not constitute a crime. However, the prosecution presents a different view, and Zvi Levran now faces charges in both Farmington Hills and nearby Bloomfield Hills District Court. He has not been charged in Minnesota, where he also practiced medicine.
The charges against Zvi Levran arose in October when he was arrested and later arraigned on multiple criminal sexual conduct charges based on complaints from patients who claimed their medical examinations were inappropriately linked to youth hockey.
As the investigations continued, more accusers came forward, reporting similar incidents of abuse by Zvi Levran from different regions, including California, Georgia, North Carolina, Minnesota, Arizona, and Canada. Some accusers alleged that Zvi Levran groped their genitals during sports physicals when they were teenagers, while others claimed more invasive and degrading actions during their medical encounters.
The Oakland County prosecutor, Karen McDonald, praised the bravery of those who testified against Zvi Levran and expressed hope that their actions would encourage other potential victims to come forward.
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Zvi Levran’s Trial
While the trial date for these cases is yet to be determined, the accusations have sparked broader discussions about the role of sports doctors and their interactions with athletes. The high-profile cases of Larry Nassar at Michigan State University and Robert Anderson at the University of Michigan have already raised concerns about abuse of power in sports medicine.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the allegations against Zvi Levran, the so-called “Hockey Doc,” continue to have serious implications for the reputation and trust of medical professionals working with athletes.
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