Virginia

Former Virginia medical director acquitted of sexually abusing teen patients

Published

2 weeks ago

April 26, 2024

Former Virginia medical director acquitted of sexually abusing teen patients

The former medical director of a Virginia hospital that treats vulnerable children and young adults was acquitted Friday of sexually abusing two teenage patients during physical exams.

Dr. Daniel Davidow worked for decades as the medical director of the Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents, a facility that treats young patients with complex medical needs, including chronic illnesses, brain injuries and neurobehavioral disorders.

The charges against Davidow were decided by a judge instead of a jury. Judge B. Elliot Bondurant found Davidow not guilty of two counts of a felony indecent liberties charge and two counts of object sexual penetration, also a felony.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA., REPEATEDLY RELEASED HONDURAN CHARGED WITH SEX CRIMES, IGNORED ICE DETAINER REQUEST: FEDS

Davidow’s attorney, Craig Cooley, said the not guilty verdict was “based on the evidence and the lack of credibility of the complainants.”

“He knew that this is what should happen and is very pleased that this is what did happen,” Cooley said.

“Nothing that happens will change the fact that the accusation alone besmirches somebody’s character and their reputation, and he understands that he can’t change people’s response to an accusation, but we think this verdict is a vindication of sorts,” Cooley said.

The former medical director at a Virginia youth facility has been acquitted of charges alleging he sexually abused two female patients.

During a 4-day trial, prosecutors said Davidow used physical exams as a “ruse” to sexually abuse two female patients. Davidow and his attorneys vehemently denied any inappropriate conduct.

Cooley described Davidow, 71, as a dedicated physician committed to helping even the most difficult or medically complex children.

Cooley also raised concerns about the former patients’ motivations, noting that they are each seeking many millions of dollars in a pending civil proceeding against Davidow, the hospital and its parent company. In that case, dozens of former patients have accused him of inappropriate touching, allegations he also has denied.

The young women, who were teenagers when they were admitted to Cumberland, both testified, each saying Davidow groped their breasts and genitals during a physical exam as part of the admissions process.

“I teared up. I was in shock,” one woman told the court.

T. Scott Renick, the top prosecutor in New Kent County east of Richmond, where the hospital is located, said in his opening statement that the girls were in extremely vulnerable conditions, living without their parents or other caregivers at the residential facility that specializes in complex cases and sometimes takes patients from other states under court order.

Renick said that as the medical director for the hospital, Davidow “had complete control over them.”

Kevin Biniazan, an attorney who represents the two women in a civil lawsuit, said the women “knew they were fighting an institution, not just a man, and they were not deterred..”

“Our clients displayed true courage,” he said.

The Associated Press is not naming either woman because it generally does not identify those who say they have been sexually assaulted.

Virginia State Police began investigating staff at the hospital in October 2017, a spokeswoman has said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Davidow is at least the third former Cumberland staffer to be charged with a crime in connection with a patient. A psychotherapist was charged with sexually abusing a patient and died by suicide the same day he was due in court for a plea hearing. A behavioral technician was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading no contest to an allegation that she intentionally burned a disabled child with scalding water.

Source link

Virginia

Amherst New Era-Progress wins Virginia Press awards

Published

7 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Press Room

Amherst New Era-Progress wins Virginia Press awards

Staff Reports

The Amherst New Era-Progress newsroom brought home 19 awards from the Virginia Press Association’s annual News & Advertising Contest.

The press association each year recognizes newspapers around the commonwealth for exceptional writing, photography, multimedia projects, graphics, newspaper design and advertising. The New Era-Progress also won the news sweepstakes in the Non-Daily 1 category and Best in Show for Non-Daily Design and Presentation.

Results were announced at a banquet in Charlottesville on May 4. A list of award recipients is below.

First place

Sports News Photo — Lee Luther Jr. for Trapped

Business and Financial Writing — Justin Faulconer for Solar farm operation planned in Piney River at former titanium mine site; New multi-tenant building in Amelon Commerce Center moving closer to bid stages for construction; She leads by example’: Amherst McDonald’s manager honored with award

Video — Justin Faulconer for Camp Trapezium farm manager giving tours of Amherst brewery’s grounds

Feature Writing Portfolio — Justin Faulconer for Lancer baseball program pays homage to Coach Jim Procopio; ‘Sister Act’ three years coming for Amherst high school drama program; ‘Epitome of a public servant’: Longtime Amherst County purchasing agent David Proffitt retires

Education Writing — Justin Faulconer for Celebrating the moment: Amherst graduates recall navigating COVID to reach milestone; Schools chief: Major focus on engaging students more in 2023-24 year; Amherst schools bracing for county population growth

General Make-Up — Staff for Feb. 9; May 4; June 29

Government Writing — Justin Faulconer for Amherst board supports US 29 corridor cleanup position, opposes adding fire marshal post; Public comments continue on Confederate monument in Amherst; Council denies two special use permits for short-term rentals

Slideshow or Gallery — Paige Dingler for Amherst County High School graduation

Feature Photo — Paige Dingler for Powwow

Combination Picture and Story — Justin Faulconer and Lee Luther Jr. for LANCER LEGEND

Pictorial Photo — Paige Dingler for Reflections

Headline Writing — Justin Faulconer for Learning the strings at Ukulele summer camp; ‘Epitome of a public servant’; CARTOON CHRISTMAS PARADE COMES TO LIFE IN AMHERST

Combination Picture and Story — Justin Faulconer, Paige Dingler for Future Opportunity Night events showcase career pathways for Amherst fifth-graders, families

Third place

Slideshow or Gallery — Lee Luther Jr. for Lancers show dominance in home win over Liberty

Feature Profile Writing — Justin Faulconer for ‘True examples’: Two Amherst Education Center students find solace in smaller class setting

Headline Writing — Justin Faulconer for LANCERS LIGHT UP THE COURT; Happy (future) trails: Amherst bike club eyes expansion of land, locations for use; LANCER LEGEND

Sports Feature Photo — Lee Luther Jr. for Dribbling

Source link

Virginia

Updating Virginia’s Scholarship Chart and Roster Projection After Transfer Haul

Published

14 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Press Room

Updating Virginia’s Scholarship Chart and Roster Projection After Transfer Haul

After a dry first six weeks of the offseason, the dam on the transfer portal burst and the outlook for the 2024-2025 Virginia men’s basketball season changed instantly and drastically as the Cavaliers landed four transfer commitments in a four-day span, the last of which was an extra treat as Vanderbilt forward Carter Lang committed to UVA on Tuesday, reportedly as a walk-on.

With the dust settling on a whirlwind recruiting spree for Tony Bennett and the Virginia coaching staff, let’s reset the deck and take a look at UVA’s scholarship chart and projected roster breakdown for next season.

First, let’s summarize Virginia’s various roster changes so far this offseason:

Departures:
1 Dante Harris (RS Jr.) – transfer portal
2 Reece Beekman (Sr.) – NBA Draft
22 Jordan Minor (Gr.) – exhausted eligibility
34 Jake Groves (Gr.) – exhausted eligibility
35 Leon Bond III (RS Fr.) – transfer portal

Expected returners:
0 Blake Buchanan (So.)
4 Andrew Rohde (Jr.)
10 Taine Murray (Sr.)
11 Isaac McKneely (Jr.)
12 Elijah Gertrude (So.)
21 Anthony Robinson (RS Fr.)
30 Christian Bliss (RS Fr.)

Current additions:
G Jalen Warley (Florida State transfer, one year remaining)
F TJ Power (Duke transfer, three years remaining)
F Elijah Saunders (San Diego State transfer, two years remaining)
F Carter Lang (Vanderbilt transfer, three years remaining) ** walk-on
G Ishan Sharma (incoming freshman)
F Jacob Cofie (incoming freshman)

Here’s Virginia’s current scholarship roster for the 2024-2025 season sorted by position and including details on each player’s eligibility remaining:

PG: Jalen Warley (1 year), Christian Bliss (4 years)
SG: Isaac McKneely (2 years), Elijah Gertrude (3 years), Ishan Sharma (4 years)
SF: Andrew Rohde (2 years), Taine Murray (1 year)
PF: TJ Power (3 years), Elijah Saunders (2 years), Jacob Cofie (4 years)
C: Blake Buchanan (3 years), Anthony Robinson (4 years)

Scholarship spots used: 12/13
Open scholarship spots: 1

The most important effect of the transfer additions is the status of UVA’s power forward position. With Ryan Dunn declaring for the NBA Draft and Jake Groves graduating, the Cavaliers were left with only incoming freshman Jacob Cofie at that spot. Now, Virginia should head into next season feeling quite confident at the 4 with the additions of TJ Power, a former five-star recruit with extremely high upside on the offensive end, and Elijah Saunders, who could also see time at center in a similar capacity as Jordan Minor due to his stature at 6’8″, 240 pounds.

Carter Lang could end up being an underrated pickup as well, as the 6’9″, 235-pound forward and Charlottesville native appeared in 24 games and made seven starts as a true freshman last season at Vanderbilt.

Jalen Warley provides experience (96 career games) and size (6’7″) to UVA’s group of guards and could spend time running point for the Cavaliers, as he had a 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio last season for Florida State.

As for what will happen with Virginia’s final open scholarship spot, keep an eye on Kansas State transfer guard Dai Dai Ames, who took an official visit to UVA on Monday. The 6’1″ freshman started 16 of 31 games last season for the Wildcats, averaging 5.2 points and 2.0 assists per game and shot 32.9% from beyond the arc. Ames started the last 13 games of the season and scored in double figures in three of the last five, ending the year by scoring a season-high 16 points and hitting four threes against Iowa in the NIT.

If Virginia doesn’t get a commitment from Ames or another player for the 2024-2025 season, that final scholarship could end up going to Carter Lang.

More Virginia Men’s Basketball News and Content

Virginia Basketball Transfer Portal Contact Live Tracker
Virginia Basketball Adds Vanderbilt Transfer Forward Carter Lang

San Diego State Transfer Elijah Saunders Commits to Virginia Basketball
Duke Forward TJ Power Transfers to Virginia Basketball
Report: Virginia Hosting Kansas State Guard Transfer Dai Dai Ames
Former Virginia Wing Leon Bond III Transfers to Northern Iowa
Virginia Basketball Lands First Transfer Commitment From FSU Guard Jalen Warley

Source link

Virginia

Virginia Beach mayor wants a collective bargaining referendum on November ballot

Published

21 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Press Room

Virginia Beach mayor wants a collective bargaining referendum on November ballot

VIRGINIA BEACH — Residents could influence a future decision on collective bargaining for city employees by casting a vote on Election Day.

Mayor Bobby Dyer said Tuesday he wants an advisory referendum on collective bargaining on the November ballot. The outcome of such a referendum would be non-binding.

The City Council denied collective bargaining of city employees in a 5-5 vote with one abstention April 30. Dyer was among those who voted against it.

“Last week we had a divisive subject on collective bargaining,” said Dyer at Tuesday’s meeting. “How do we really confront this in a way that we are capable of doing?”

Dyer had said before the vote that the timing wasn’t right due to the potential costs, but he supported a more enhanced “meet and confer” process than what currently exists, which would require communication with the council.

Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services and public works personnel wanted to negotiate better wages and enhanced employment conditions. The city received certification from a majority of public employees in a unit requesting collective bargaining in February, requiring a formal vote on the matter.

It’s likely the council will have to take up collective bargaining again. Other employee groups can trigger a council vote again by presenting certification from a majority of it public employees, according to union representatives.

To get the referendum on the ballot, it will require a majority vote from the council. Dyer plans to bring it up for a discussion and a vote after the budget is approved this month, he said.

The light rail referendum that failed in 2016 was also advisory.

Dyer also said Tuesday he plans to ask for the city to commission a collective bargaining analysis that could be presented before November.

“This would give us the opportunity to get information out to the public to bring them into the decision loop,” the mayor said.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com

Source link