Norwich clinic doctor wants trial in sexual assault cases
A physician charged with sexually assaulting four women at the Concentra Urgent Care Clinic in Norwich turned down an offer Wednesday in New London Superior Court to plead guilty in exchange for a three-year prison sentence followed by 10 years of probation.
Norwich police allege that Manoj K. Saxena, 45, of Mansfield conducted unnecessary and intrusive examinations on women at the clinic in 2014 and 2015.
Saxena is charged with four counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and three counts of second-degree sexual assault.
He has been free on bonds totaling $190,000 while his attorney, William F. Dow, attempted to work out a deal with prosecutor Theresa Anne Ferryman in pretrial negotiations before Judge Hillary B. Strackbein.
After Saxena rejected the plea offer, Strackbein told him he faces up to 34 years in prison if convicted and that his case would be added to the trial list.
The state Department of Public Health has suspended his medical license while his charges are pending, and he no longer works at the clinic.