Podiatrist sentenced for sexually abusing 13 women during treatment, recovery

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - A Portland, Oregon, podiatrist was sentenced Friday to more than eight years in prison after 13 women reported he sexually abused them during treatment and surgical recovery.

Brian Bowen, 52, received a 100-month prison sentence following his June 17 conviction on one count of first-degree sexual abuse during a bench trial. Bowen subsequently pleaded guilty to 10 misdemeanor counts of third-degree sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse involving false representation, accounting for each of the 13 patients.

Under a 2023 Oregon law, licensed medical professionals commit a crime if they engage in sexual contact with a patient and falsely claim it serves a legitimate medical purpose.

Investigators said Bowen touched patients inappropriately during examinations and while they recovered from surgery. Prosecutors noted the contact was brief and without verbal comments, confusing patients and allowing the conduct to go on for years.

In addition to prison time, Bowen must register as a sex offender and will face several years of post-prison supervision.

“Patients deserve to feel safe when seeking medical care,” Deputy District Attorney Quinn Zemel said in a statement. “This defendant took advantage of his position of trust as a doctor and sexually abused patients at a time when they were most vulnerable. This significant sentence sends a clear message that such acts of abuse will not be tolerated.”

The case was prosecuted by Zemel and Deputy District Attorney Jesse Hoffman following an investigation by Portland police detectives.