NJ Doc Who Had Sex With Brain-Damaged Patient May Lose License Again, AG Says

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County doctor has been suspended after violating an order from the Board of Medical Examiners to no longer see female patients without supervision, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

Jonathan Fellus, a neurologist primarily operating out of Randolph, was suspended on Wednesday, and the Division of Consumer Affairs is in the process of revoking his medical license for the second time.

In 2008 and 2009, Fellus carried on a sexual relationship with a mildly brain-damaged patient, and as a result, lost his medical license in 2014. Fellus was never criminally charged, but was found liable in a civil malpractice suit.

Four years later, the Board of Medical Examiners agreed to reinstate Fellus’ medical license on the condition that he only treat female patients under the supervision of a chaperone. The order also contained a ban on any social contact with female patients, in an attempt to “prevent future misconduct and further protect the public.”

Since then, the Division of Consumer Affairs learned that Fellus had lied about the patients he was seeing in an attempt to “evade the chaperone requirement,” according to the NJ Attorney General.

Furthermore, Fellus had contacted his female patients and tried to “discourage them from cooperating” with Board investigators looking into the situation, officials added.

Fellus is now not allowed to treat any New Jersey residents in or out of state, and is barred from charging, receiving, or sharing in any fee for his professional services until a trial is complete.

“This doctor’s alleged conduct, if proven, demonstrates an utter contempt for the Board’s authority and a disregard for patient safety that will not be tolerated,” said Jeremy E. Hollander, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Temporarily removing him from practice until this matter is resolved is necessary to protect the public.”