Ex-CDC chief Thomas Frieden denies groping allegation

NEW YORK — A former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was accused of grabbing a woman’s behind and was arrested Friday on a sex abuse charge but said the woman’s allegation “does not reflect” who he is or the values he has.

Dr. Thomas Frieden, who for years informed the public about dangers to their health, sat stonefaced as a judge warned him not to approach the woman, who accused him of groping her on Oct. 20, 2017, in his Brooklyn home.

Frieden, who also is a former New York City health commissioner, did not enter a plea.

The 55-year-old accuser, who knew Frieden, reported the encounter in July, and he was taken into custody after an investigation.

The judge ordered Frieden to refrain from any contact with the woman and he was freed on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is Oct. 11.

Frieden leads a global health initiative called Resolve to Save Lives.

“The allegation does not reflect Dr. Frieden’s public or private behavior or his values over a lifetime of service to improve health around the world,” said a statement issued on his behalf.

In 2009, President Barack Obama’s administration picked Frieden to head the CDC. Frieden led U.S. public health efforts during a range of highprofile national and international health crises, including pandemic flu, Ebola and Zika.

Frieden was CDC director until January 2017, when he resigned as part of the turnover to President Donald Trump’s administration.