Burnsville Psychotherapist Sexually Abused Patient: Police

BURNSVILLE, MN — An Apple Valley man who works as a psychiatrist in Burnsville is accused of sexually abusing his patient. Gavin Patrick Meany, 38, was charged Friday with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree after police said he had sex with a patient.

At the time of these acts, Meany was treating the patient in his role as a psychiatrist, authorities said.

On Aug. 27, the Burnsville Police Department received a report from a woman who claimed she had been abused over the last five years by Meany while she had been receiving therapy and psychiatric services from him.

She described multiple acts of sexual touching and penetration that occurred in the professional offices of Meany — first in St. Louis Park and later in Meany’s professional office in Burnsville — between May of 2018 and August of 2019, police said.

The woman said one act of sexual intercourse happened between her and Meany at his home in Apple Valley in May of 2018. When questioned by an investigator, Meany acknowledged he "crossed boundaries" with the victim and admitted to the sexual activity described by the victim, according to the criminal complaint.

"It is a felony under Minnesota law for a psychotherapist providing professional services to engage in sexual penetration or contact with a patient during a psychotherapy session or outside a psychotherapy session, if the professional relationship still exists," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a statement.

"Consent by the patient is not a defense. Criminal activity of this nature is a significant breach of trust by the psychotherapist as to any patient. I wish to commend the victim for the courage to come forward and report these allegations to law enforcement."

Meany made his first appearance in court last week and bail in the amount of $100,000 without conditions ($15,000 with conditions) was set by Dakota County District Court Judge Karen Asphaug.

His next court appearance is set for Oct. 10.