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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kaiser Permanente sued over ex-nurse facing sex abuse charges

Associated Press

PORTLAND – Two women who claim they were sexually abused by a nurse at a Beaverton clinic have filed a $1 million lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente over claims of negligence.

The Oregonian reports the suit filed Monday claims Kaiser failed to adequately investigate Alex Matthew Woolner and report his behavior to authorities. Woolner is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on charges of criminal mistreatment, sex abuse and other crimes.

In their lawsuit, the women claim Woolner touched them inappropriately during unnecessary breast and pelvic exams. One of the incidents allegedly occurred after Kaiser allowed Woolner to return to work after investigating another sexual assault complaint against him Jan. 28. The company said it couldn’t confirm any misconduct had occurred.

Woolner’s attorney says his client will be cleared of all wrongdoing.