Salem Woman Accuses Ex-Fox Contributor Of Inappropriate Conduct

SALEM, MA -- Dr. Keith Ablow violated patient boundaries and ethical guidelines when he had physical sexual contact with a patient, according to a lawsuit filed in Newbury District Court by a Salem woman. The suit alleges that the television personality routinely commented on the woman's appearance, sent persistent email and text messages and encouraged sexual conversations during treatment sessions. The suit also claims Ablow discussed other patients, his own medical treatment and his wife and secretary during his sessions with the plaintiff.

Altogether, Ablow's conduct amounted to "grossly negligent treatment and significant boundary violations," according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks $5 million for the severe stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, fatigue and post--traumatic stress disorder the woman suffered.

In an email to Patch Monday afternoon, Ablow said the woman's lawsuit omits certain key facts. "The woman currently suing was sent a no trespassing letter by me two years ago, was sent a 'do not harass' letter by me two years ago and that her account is in collections," Ablow said.

Ablow, of Newburyport, has written 15 books and numerous articles, both for medical journals and mainstream publications. In 2007 his book Inside The Mind of Scott Peterson, made the New York Times bestsellers list, catapulting his television career. Ablow hosted a short-lived, nationally syndicated talk show. A 2012 commentary suggesting Newt Gingrich's three marriages made him more qualified to be president followed by a commentary suggesting the 2012 was a plot by President Obama to distract Americans from scandals about the administration increased his profile and made him a regular fixture on Fox News Channel.

In 2014 Ablow drew fire for suggesting that First Lady Michelle Obama needed "to drop a few pounds" while appearing on the news channel. He also accused the Obama administration of not addressing the African Ebloa outbreaks because of his "affiliations" to the continent and once said on Fox that men should have a right to veto a woman's decision to have an abortion.

The woman who filed the lawsuit against Ablow is represented Clyde Bergstresser who filed a similar suit against Ablow on behalf of another woman in 2016. That case is now in its deposition phase.

In his email to Patch, Ablow noted that in that case, a tribunal had found no evidence of malpractice but the woman went forward with her lawsuit, "despite this fact, which she can, by law."

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Patch file photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).