PRACTICING AFTER ARREST

said in an email, declining to comment specifically on the Woodard case. He eventually pleaded to misdemeanor sexual battery and received 12 months’ probation. Woodard said he had no comment. Florida said it would have had to show that Pipalia’s behavior was likely to continue in the absence of an emergency order. In 2011, the court placed him on pre-trial intervention and the misdemeanor criminal charge was dismissed because he complied. Finally, in 2014, medical regulators permanently prohibited him from treating female patients. He didn’t respond to a message left at his office. In Arkansas, Rook is free on bond after his arrest in June.

Medical board attorney Kevin O’Dwyer said Rook was entitled to a hearing after the panel had suspended his license. No witnesses appeared to testify against him.

Special prosecutor Jason Barrett said he offered the victims’ statements from arrest affidavits but did not want the women to testify before a criminal trial. He said law enforcement investigators would testify.

O’Dwyer, though, said that would have been worthless because Rook’s attorneys wouldn’t be able to cross-examine the doctor’s accusers. It reinstated him with the requirement he use a chaperone. The idea of warning his other patients was never discussed, O’Dwyer said.

Rook did not return a call seeking comment from the AJC.

“I think a guy is practicing medicine again who has no business practicing medicine,” Barrett said.