RVC Doctor Charged with Sexual Abuse

A Rockville Centre doctor who works at Rikers Island was arrested on Thursday for allegedly having sex with a female inmate, according to officials from the New York City Department of Investigations.

Police officials said that Dr. Franck Leveille, 60, examined an inmate on March 28 and engaged her in a non-consensual criminal sexual act. Under New York law, an inmate in a correctional facility is legally incapable of consenting to sexual activity with an employee or contractor providing services to inmates at the prison.

Leveille, who has worked at Rikers for 12 years, was charged with third-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree sexual abuse. If Leveille is convicted, he could spend up to four years in prison.

 "This physician is charged with exploiting an inmate in his care, according to the criminal complaint, and violating his fundamental professional responsibility," said Rose Gill Hearn, commissioner of the city's department of investigations. "DOI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that inmates are protected and abuses are exposed."

Leveille has been a licensed physician in New York State since 1993 and has been employed on Rikers Island since January 1998. Currently, he works part-time for PHS Medical Services, P.C.