Executive Summary
- Amir Sitafalwalla was sentenced to six years of probation and registered as a level two sex offender.
- The former doctor pleaded guilty to sexually abusing five patients, including one minor.
- Victims and their legal counsel expressed disappointment that the sentence did not include jail time.
- Civil lawsuits allege negligence by ModernMD for hiring the doctor despite prior complaints.
A former urgent care doctor practicing in Queens was sentenced Wednesday to six years of probation and classified as a level two sex offender after pleading guilty to sexually abusing five patients. Judge Gia Morris handed down the sentence to Amir Sitafalwalla in Kew Gardens, concluding a case that prosecutors stated involved incidents of groping and inappropriate comments dating back to 2017.
According to court records, Sitafalwalla pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting five male patients, one of whom was a minor at the time of the incident. During the sentencing hearing, two victims provided impact statements detailing the psychological trauma resulting from the abuse. One victim, who was 21 when the assault occurred during a medical visit, addressed the defendant directly in the courtroom, characterizing the doctor as a “disgrace” and describing the lasting damage to his mental health.
Hardeep Shergill, an attorney representing two of the victims, expressed disappointment regarding the sentencing terms. Shergill stated that his clients had sought a custodial sentence, noting that the abuse has placed a “tremendous strain” on their personal lives and marital relationships. Prosecutors indicated during the proceedings that while there are five victims on record, they suspect there may be additional individuals who have not yet come forward.
Following the criminal sentencing, legal action is proceeding in civil court. Two victims are pursuing lawsuits against Sitafalwalla and his former employer, ModernMD. The suits allege negligence, claiming the facility should not have hired Sitafalwalla due to a prior termination from another urgent care center involving similar complaints. In a released statement, ModernMD noted they were “deeply disturbed” by the conduct and had fully cooperated with authorities.
Judicial Proceedings and Civil Liability
The conclusion of the criminal phase in this case underscores the often contentious nature of plea agreements in sex offense cases, where probationary sentences may diverge from victim expectations for incarceration. The legal focus now shifts to the pending civil litigation, which is expected to scrutinize corporate hiring practices and the duty of care owed by medical facilities to screen practitioners for prior misconduct. While Sitafalwalla has entered a guilty plea regarding the criminal charges, it is important to note that regarding the specific allegations of negligence in the civil suits and any uncharged accusations mentioned by prosecutors, all parties and individuals are presumed innocent until proven liable or guilty in a court of law.
