Physician Is Arrested in Sexual Battery Case

A Westlake pediatrician has been arrested on suspicion of sexual battery for allegedly fondling three women during medical examinations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Dr. Stuart M. Berlin, 35, was arrested Tuesday morning on one count of sexually battering a 27-year-old Calabasas woman, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Denise Jezak.

After being released on bail from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, Berlin was arrested by Ventura County sheriff’s deputies on three more counts of sexual battery involving two other women, according to Detective Robert LeMay.

Berlin was cited and released pending further court action.

LeMay said Berlin offered to treat the mothers of several of his young patients. When the women agreed, LeMay said, Berlin fondled them “under the guise of medical examinations or treatment.”

Berlin declined comment Wednesday.

The Medical Board of California confirmed that it had received complaints about Berlin, but refused to discuss them. Spokeswoman Janie Cordray said the board has been working with the sheriff’s departments in both counties.

Records show that Berlin graduated from the New York University School of Medicine in 1981 and was licensed to practice in California in 1982.

LeMay said more charges may be filed. Deputies are investigating complaints from two other women in Ventura County.

Authorities from both counties were involved because the alleged batteries occurred in Los Angeles County and at his Ventura County office in the Westlake area of Thousand Oaks, officials said.