N.J. Patients Were Groped, But Man Who Treated Them Keeps His Job, AG Says

Some New Jersey women with back problems were victims of inappropriate sexual contact, but the man who treated them gets to keep his job, authorities said.

Edward R. Kramer Jr. allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with two patients under the guise of medical treatment and has been has been barred from treating female patients until a female monitor is in place to oversee the interactions, according to a release from the Office of Attorney General.

But the Board of Chiropractic Examiners is allowing him to continue practicing while the allegations of sexual misconduct, filed by Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino, are pending against him, according to the release.

Kramer, who operates Kramer Family Chiropractic in Blairstown, must immediately cease his treatment of female patients until a board-approved monitor is in place, according to the release.

According to the complaint filed by Porrino, Kramer committed sexual misconduct against two patients identified only by their initials:

• Kramer allegedly inappropriately touched patient “S.S.” on her bare buttocks and genital area during three visits between April and May 2016. The patient sought treatment from Kramer for chronic neck pain and low back pain. On the first visit Kramer applied treatment to her bare buttocks using a flat metal tool known as “Graston” tool. During another visit, Kramer allegedly had her remove her shirt for treatment of her upper back and neck and stayed in the exam room while she disrobed and did not offer her covering. During that visit, Kramer inappropriately touched the woman’s vaginal area under the guise of massaging her bladder.
• Kramer also allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with patient “M.H.” during several chiropractic visits between April and June 2015, including, but not limited to handling both her breasts without a legitimate chiropractic need, according to the complaint.

Efforts to reach Kramer were unsuccessful Thursday. His staff said he was out of the office. His website is operational, but part of a picture appears to be blocked out.

The monitor, meanwhile, will oversee Kramer’s interaction with female patients until an Administrative Law judge holds a hearing on the state’s allegations.

Porrino objected to the board’s ultimate decision to permit Kramer to continue practicing with a monitor, having sought a full temporary suspension of Kramer’s license until the judicial hearing.

“Two female patients have alleged that Dr. Kramer inappropriately touched them under the guise of providing chiropractic treatment. We believe the information they provided warrants an immediate and full temporary suspension of his license until these allegations are resolved. We’re disappointed that the Board did not agree with us,” Porrino said in the release.

“The Board instead has required Kramer to have a female chaperone in the office overseeing his treatment of female patients until this matter is heard in an administrative court of law.”

Patients who believe that they have been treated by a licensed health care professional in an inappropriate manner can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504- 6200.

According to the complaint, Kramer also committed sexual misconduct by failing to leave the treatment room while M.H undressed and by lowering her pants and underwear to expose her pubic region.

Kramer also engaged in deception and professional misconduct by adding treatment notes in M.H.’s record in support of his purported justification for performing chiropractic services involving M.H.’s breasts, according to the complaint.

Under the terms of his agreement with the board, which will be formalized in a consent order, Kramer must pay for the monitor himself. The monitor must be present during the treatment of all female patients until the judge hears Kramer’s case and the board takes action based on the judge's findings.

The monitor must report to the board in writing once a month and must also report any impropriety immediately. Kramer’s license will be immediately suspended if he does not comply with the provisions of the agreement or if the monitor reports any impropriety, according to the release.

“The division relies on patients to come forward with information to help us identify and protect the public from doctors who abuse their patient’s trust for their own personal satisfaction,” said Steve Lee, director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “The allegations against Kramer by two former patients describe an egregious and violative abuse of this trust.”

Investigators with the Enforcement Bureau within the Division of Consumer Affairs conducted the investigation.

Deputy Attorney General Wendy Leggett Faulk, of the Professional Boards Prosecution Section in the Division of Law, is representing the state in this matter.

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