THE WOODLANDS, Texas – A Woodlands-area doctor is firing back at claims that he inappropriately touched several of his patients as another victim has come forward and claimed she too was groped under his care.
Dr. Kozhaya Sokhon, 56, was arrested at his private practice off the North Freeway in February after an investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
He was charged with indecent assault. Court records show four more accusers came forward and additional indecent assault charges were filed against Sokhon in March and August.
“Honestly, people are liars, and they’re just trying to make money. I do my best job to help people and to take care of people, that’s my mission as a physician,” Sokhon said when reached by phone Tuesday evening.
“Have you ever inappropriately touched any of your patients?” reporter Bryce Newberry asked.
“No, sir. I’m sorry. I’m busy and I just do physician work,” he said, while out on bond.
Before Sokhon’s arrest, Montgomery County Sheriff’s investigators subpoenaed records from the Texas Medical Board and discovered two other women filed similar complaints against him in 2021. One woman reported he got “handsy,” according to an affidavit.
On Tuesday, a sixth woman, who’s only identified as Jane Doe, came forward by way of a civil lawsuit filed against Memorial Hermann Health System.
Jane Doe was recovering from elbow surgery, her attorney Adam Funk said, when she experienced cardiac issues and Sokhon was tasked with checking on her condition while she was alone in the hospital room.
“She was woken up to this particular doctor fondling her breasts,” Funk said. “He was using his power as a doctor with credentials at an obviously world-renowned hospital and was allowed to do it.”
Funk’s lawsuit claims Memorial Hermann negligently or maliciously credentialed Sokhon to work in The Woodlands hospital.
Memorial Hermann told KPRC 2 they are unable to comment on pending litigation.
Dr. Sokhon’s history of discipline
According to state records, the Texas Medical Board in 2014 publicly reprimanded Sokhon after finding that he violated the standard of care for another patient.
He was ordered to be monitored by another doctor, complete classes, and pay and administrative penalty, according to records.
“Dr. Sokhon was subject to discipline by peer review at Conroe Medical Center, and resigned from that facility while under investigation,” the state board’s website states.
Then in 2018, the board reprimanded him again and modified the 2014 order after finding Sokhon “failed to implement all recommendations made by the physician monitor, failed to comply with the monitor’s suggestions related to his practice as required by the 2014 order, and provided incorrect information to the board regarding disciplinary action by a peer review committee,” the website states.
In June of 2022, Sokhon was one of 15 Texas doctors who settled claims of healthcare fraud for $160,456, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Federal prosecutors said the scheme involved kickbacks for ordering lab tests from certain providers.
The Texas Medical Board entered into a “non-disciplinary remedial plan” related to the federal fraud scheme, state records show, which required Sokhon to pass a jurisprudence examination and complete more courses.
“Dr. Sokhon does not admit or deny the findings but agreed to the remedial plan to avoid the cost and uncertainty of litigation,” the board’s website states.
Based on Sokhon’s history, Funk’s lawsuit claims Memorial Hermann “credentialed Sokhon which allowed him to abuse his power as a physician, prey on unsuspecting patients, and sexually assault them” and “negligently allowed Dr. Sokhon, a known disciplined physician, to evaluate (Jane Doe) without supervision.”
Jane Doe has been traumatized ever since, Funk said, and has now been divorced partly because of what happened. She hasn’t been able to view a medical appointment the same.
“You can’t just let anybody with a long history of discipline become a doctor and treat their patients the way that Dr. Sokhon did,” Funk said. “What she’s trying to make sure is that this does not happen again to anybody.”
Sokhon’s license has been suspended since after his February arrest and the Texas Medical Board wrote that he poses a continuing threat to public welfare in deciding to pull his license.
Criminal cases against Sokhon are still pending. Records show he has a court date scheduled next week.