Libertyville Doctor Arrested, Charged With Sexual Assault

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — A Libertyville gastroenterologist was arrested on two counts of criminal sexual assault after authorities say he forced a woman to perform oral sex on him following a business dinner at an Oak Brook restaurant last year.

According to the criminal complaint filed by DuPage County prosecutors, Dr. Arkan Alrashid was arrested last week. On Monday, a DuPage County judge granted the state's request to modify bond after Alrashid, 55, was released after posting $5,000 bond (10 percent of the $50,000 bond) after turning himself into Oak Brook police last week, prosecutors said.

Under the conditions of the bond, Alrashid cannot have contact with the victim of her family and must surrender any passports and firearms and is not permitted to leave the state, authorities said. He is next due in court for an arraignment hearing on Nov. 4.

On Monday night, Dalia Thomas, chief operating officer of GI Partners of Illinois – of which Alrashid serves as president, issued a statement which states that Alrashid denies the charges levied against him.

"Dr. Alrashid denies these allegations and is vigorously defending the charges in court," Thomas said in the statement. "He has cooperated with the authorities and has retained defense counsel to conduct a rigorous investigation and defense. He is confident the evidence will prove that the accusations are false.

"It is important to note that an allegation or charge is not evidence of guilt. Under the United States Constitution, an accused person is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Dr. Alrashid maintains his innocence and intends to plead not guilty to these charges."

Thomas said that Alrashid declined comment out of respect for the process.

Prosecutors wrote in the criminal complaint that Alrashid, who lives in Bannockburn, forced the victim to perform oral sex on him in his car following a business dinner at Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse in Oak Brook in February 2019.

"I am proud of the work our investigators did on this case and their pursuit of justice for the victim no matter how long it took,” Oak Brook Police Chief James Kruger said in a news release. “I also appreciate the trust the victim demonstrated with us and hope this can bring some small consolation for what she had to endure.”

The complaint also states that Alrashid also penetrated the victim with his finger during the incident, which took place during the drive back to Alrashid's house, where the victim had left her car, prosecutors said. The victim is a former colleague of the doctor's, according to the complaint.

"These allegations are extremely disturbing and will be met with the full force of the law," DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release issued after Monday's hearing.

According to records from the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, Alrashid previously had his license suspended for a year in Wisconsin after a patient accused him of sexual assault. The network reported that Alrashid reportedly sexually assaulted a patient during a pelvic exam. According to the report, the patient reportedly said she felt drowsy before Alrashid kissed her and had sexual contact with her.

The woman later reported the incident to the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, which suspended Alrashid for a year beginning in 2003, records show.