U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General South Central Field Office 4040 N. Central Expwy, Suite 500 Dallas, TX 75204-3158 (214) 253-3360
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Austin Doctor Convicted of Assaulting VA Patients
John McDermott, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA OIG), announced today that in the 299th Judicial District Court of Travis County, TX, Dr. Gregory S. Vagshenian was convicted of assaulting three of his patients. Vagshenian was found guilty of nine counts of simple assault and was acquitted of the greater charges of sexual assault by a mental health services provider. Judge Jon Wisser announced the guilty verdict and will sentence Vagshenian on March 22, 2004. McDermott stated the conviction resulted from a joint investigation conducted by VA OIG Special Agents and Healthcare Inspectors; the VA Temple Police; and other State and Local Law Enforcement Officers. VA Psychiatrists also assisted in the investigation and noted Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Gutheil provided expert testimony at the trial. From April 1993 to May 2001, Dr. Vagshenian was employed as a Psychiatrist at the VA Austin Outpatient Clinic, located in Austin. The victims testified Vagshenian performed unwanted sexual acts on them under the guise of a routine physical exam. Assistant District Attorney Joseph S. Maida, IV, Austin, TX, prosecuted the case.