Salem County Physician Who Allegedly Had Sexual Relations with a Patient Surrenders His License to Practice Medicine
NEWARK – The State Board of Medical Examiners (BME) has entered into a Consent Order with Dr. Paul George Bussey, who maintains a family practice in Woodstown, as both parties agreed to a temporary license suspension following allegations that the doctor had sexual relations with a patient.
On September 29, 2015, a Complaint was filed before the BME seeking the temporary suspension of Bussey's license, alleging he engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a longtime female patient he was treating for depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, addiction, and other ailments.
"A doctor-patient relationship is considered sacrosanct and should not be breached in any way," said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. "A doctor who engages in sexual misconduct with a patient, especially one he's medically treating for mental issues, is among the most egregious violations of that relationship I can think of."
The Complaint alleges that Bussey engaged in a two-month sexual relationship with a 30-year-old patient between January and March of 2015. Bussey had been treating the patient since she was 21 years old. As part of that treatment, he was prescribing narcotic and psychotropic medications to her.
Their sexual relationship allegedly began in January 2015, when the married doctor hired the patient to help with the medical billing in his office. Their relationship included gifts of money and jewelry, dining in restaurants, and sex in his office, according to the Complaint. The pair also allegedly exchanged sexually explicit text messages on a cell phone he had purchased for her.
"Patients who come to health care professionals when they are ill and vulnerable bring with them expectations that their welfare will be placed above all else," said Steve Lee, Acting Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs. "If these allegations are true, Dr. Bussey put his own sexual desires ahead of his patient's well-being and used his position of trust to victimize her in a way no patient deserves."
According to the Complaint, Bussey requested sexually explicit photos of the patient, but she responded that she couldn't because her mother, with whom she lived, was awake. Bussey allegedly suggested the patient give her mother an extra dose of anti-anxiety and antipsychotic medication to help her fall asleep. The patient's mother was previously prescribed those medications by Bussey.
Bussey consented to temporarily surrendering his license on November 4th. It will remain suspended until the board holds a plenary hearing to consider further disciplinary action against him. A date for the plenary hearing has not yet been scheduled.
This investigation was conducted by the Enforcement Bureau of the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa N. Brown from the Division of Law is representing the State in this matter.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse,
can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer
Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846
(toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504- 6200.
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