AUSTIN (CN) - A doctor got a patient high on drugs and sexually assaulted her during therapy sessions, causing her repeatedly to wake up on his couch "while he is having sexual intercourse with her," she claims in court.
Renee Taylor sued Dr. David Cardwell, in Travis County Court. She claims he "drugged and sexually assaulted her" after she sought treatment for stress and anxiety.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that Cardwell, 64, was arrested in March and charged with felony sexual assault. It did not name his alleged victim.
The Texas Medical Board reprimanded Cardwell in 2011 for inappropriately prescribing medication to himself, family members and others, and failing to practice medicine in an acceptable professional manner, the American-Statesman reported.
Taylor claims in the lawsuit that "during the course of Renee's sessions with Dr. Cardwell, he begins to make verbal sexual advances toward her. Eventually, Dr. Cardwell prescribes Xanax, Effexor, Aderol [sic], and Ambien to help Renee cope with her anxiety. With Renee under the influence of heavy medication, Dr. Cardwell begins to physically sexually assault Renee during her therapy sessions. On multiple occasions Renee wakes up on Dr. Cardwell's couch while he is having sexual intercourse with her. Renee is in an intensely medicated state and does not terminate the doctor-patient relationship. In December of 2011, Renee's parents step in and terminate Renee's relationship with Dr. Cardwell."
Taylor seeks damages and punitive damages for fraud, sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation, mental anguish and other charges, and medical expenses.
She is represented by L. Todd Kelly with the Carlson Law Firm.
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