OAKLAND — A doctor who worked at UC Berkeley’s health center for more than two decades has been charged with sexually assaulting at least six male patients during examinations and university officials believe more victims could come forward.

Dr. Robert Kevess, 52, of Oakland, was charged late Wednes-day with 19 felony counts, including eight counts of sexual exploitation of multiple patients, seven counts of sexual battery with false professional purpose and four counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object. Prosecutors say the offenses occurred between March 2006 and this March.

Kevess confirmed the allegations of sexual misconduct to police officers investigating the case, saying he touched intimate parts of patients and penetrated them with objects, including his fingers, under the guise of performing medical procedures, court records state.

“The allegations were confirmed by statements made by Kevess during a subsequent interview,” a probable cause arrest warrant written by UC Berkeley police states. “Interviews of Kevess and the victims confirmed Kevess subjected the victims to (sexual misconduct).”

It is unethical and illegal for doctors or other health care providers to have sexual relations with a patient, under the code of medical ethics from the American Medical Association.

Kevess had worked at the Tang Health Center on Bancroft Way for 22 years. He resigned April 14 after a former patient went to the center’s

OAKLAND — A doctor who worked at UC Berkeley’s health center for more than two decades has been charged with sexually assaulting at least six male patients during examinations and university officials believe more victims could come forward.

Dr. Robert Kevess, 52, of Oakland, was charged late Wednes-day with 19 felony counts, including eight counts of sexual exploitation of multiple patients, seven counts of sexual battery with false professional purpose and four counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object. Prosecutors say the offenses occurred between March 2006 and this March.

Kevess confirmed the allegations of sexual misconduct to police officers investigating the case, saying he touched intimate parts of patients and penetrated them with objects, including his fingers, under the guise of performing medical procedures, court records state.

“The allegations were confirmed by statements made by Kevess during a subsequent interview,” a probable cause arrest warrant written by UC Berkeley police states. “Interviews of Kevess and the victims confirmed Kevess subjected the victims to (sexual misconduct).”

It is unethical and illegal for doctors or other health care providers to have sexual relations with a patient, under the code of medical ethics from the American Medical Association.

Kevess had worked at the Tang Health Center on Bancroft Way for 22 years. He resigned April 14 after a former patient went to the center’s

against their will and for the specific purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification and sexual abuse while said person was unconscious of the nature of the act because the perpetrator fraudulently represented the touching served a professional purpose.”

Alameda County deputy district attorney Susan Torrence said “unconscious” does not mean the patient was drugged or not conscious at the time of the suspected acts, but rather “unaware” that what was going on was not part of the exam.

Police said the six male victims were between 18 and 42 years old. University officials and prosecutors declined to give specifics on why patients went to see Kevess or what exactly he is accused of doing to them. Patients and doctors both have the right to request that an attendant be in the room during examinations, but no attendant was present during the suspected abuse.

Kevess graduated from New York University School of Medicine in 1984. University officials said a June 2010 review of his professional conduct and background, as required by law for recredentialing, did not identify any “issues of concern or complaints from patients.” Kevess was reaccredited at that time.

“We still don’t know how this could have happened,” said UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof. “We simply are not going to rest until we know

Mogulof said the 300 medical professionals who work at the clinic have been notified of the criminal charges.

“The news was received with a profound degree of shock and sadness, as it has been across the campus,” Mogulof said.

“The charges allege that this individual violated many of the ethical, legal and professional limits designed to preserve the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship.”

Torrence said there might be other victims who will come forward in the coming days and weeks. “In a case like this, it’s not unusual for other victims to come forward and I would not be surprised if others came forward.”

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Legal considerations: Sexual abuse (molestation) is an intentional act of abuse. Molesters are very often a person the victim knows and is familiar with. Some examples include, physicians, coaches, clergy, teachers and nursing home providers. Victims of sexual abuse may bring a civil claim for physical and emotional damages. Through a civil claim, the Law Offices of Gary A. Kessler can hold a molester or their employer financially responsible for damages or sexual abuse. A claim can be brought directly against the abuser, or the abuser’s employer, if that entity was negligent in screening, hiring or supervising the  abusive employee.

Justice for Victims of Abuse: The Law Offices of Gary A. Kessler have represented victims of sexual abuse throughout California. We know that, although no amount of money can undo the emotional and psychological pain of an an unthinkable sexual act, compensation can allow victims and their families the resources necessary to obtain counseling and psychological care. Contact the Law Offices of Gary A. Kessler for a free confidential consultation.