An Oregon nurse charged with sexually assaulting a dozen girls in jail has been fired from his present job at Legacy Well being, the Portland-based well being care system confirmed Wednesday.
Tony Daniel Klein, 37, faces federal costs for allegations that befell in 2016 and 2017 whereas he labored as a nurse for the Oregon Division of Corrections.
On March 14, the U.S. Division of Justice unsealed a 25-count indictment, charging Klein with sexually assaulting 12 girls on the Espresso Creek Correctional Facility after which mendacity about it later whereas beneath oath. Federal prosecutors alleged Klein disadvantaged the ladies of their proper to not face merciless and weird punishment, a safety afforded beneath the Structure’s Eighth Modification.
If convicted, Klein may face life in jail.
“Legacy Well being can not touch upon an ongoing federal felony continuing,” a spokesperson for the well being system stated in a written assertion Wednesday. “Legacy Well being terminated Mr. Klein’s employment as of March 17, 2022.”
Previous to the indictment, OPB printed an investigation that discovered a minimum of 27 girls in custody had accused Klein of sexual abuse and inappropriate feedback whereas he labored at Espresso Creek, the state’s solely jail for girls. The variety of girls who made allegations towards Klein was confirmed by the state Division of Corrections.
On this video screenshot, Tony Klein was deposed in November 2019 as a part of civil litigation involving 10 girls incarcerated at Espresso Creek Correctional Facility, who accused him of sexual abuse.
Video screenshot / Plaintiff deposition by way of Michelle Burrows
Klein’s attorneys didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Legacy Well being officers additionally didn’t reply to an interview request, however offered an extra assertion in response to a collection of written questions from OPB.
“Legacy just isn’t conscious of any report of misconduct made about Tony Klein regarding his employment on the hospital. Klein was on depart from September 2021 till his termination on March 17,” the spokesperson said.
Officers at Legacy declined to say what made them place Klein on depart in September.
The investigation by OPB reveals Klein confronted lawsuits and was beneath investigation throughout most of his time employed at Legacy.
Throughout a 2019 deposition, Klein stated Legacy Well being knew in regards to the allegations towards him.
Legacy employed Klein in January 2018, information present. On the time, Oregon State Police had been engaged on an open investigation into Klein relating to allegations of sexual assault.
Whereas employed at Legacy, Klein was named in 12 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assaults on the jail, 11 which the state settled for $1.87 million in 2020, in addition to one earlier this month. As a part of these agreements, Klein and the Division of Corrections admitted no wrongdoing.
A number of the lawsuits obtained information protection, together with in The Oregonian/OregonLive, which reported on one of many circumstances in January 2019, whereas Klein labored at Legacy.
The Espresso Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Aaron Scott / OPB
As a part of the civil litigation, an legal professional for a number of the girls deposed Klein in November 2019. Below oath, he stated Legacy Well being was conscious of the civil lawsuits.
“So that you informed your employer while you knew that the newspaper was going to publish a narrative on it?” requested legal professional Michelle Burrows, who represented 10 girls who filed lawsuits.
“Appropriate,” Klein replied.
Throughout the deposition, Klein disclosed that Legacy applied a written work settlement for sure duties he was to not do alone.
“After I informed them in regards to the pending lawsuit, we had a gathering and collectively got here up with some methods to guard myself and likewise Legacy,” Klein stated. “I’ve no restrictions on who I can have as sufferers. I would like a second particular person within the room if I’m going to offer what we name peri care, so cleansing of any individual’s personal components after they use the toilet.”
“What about intimate bodily exams? Do you want a chaperone or standby for that?” Burrows requested.
“I don’t want a chaperone or a second particular person for my each day assessments,” Klein replied.
Throughout the deposition, Klein stated his supervisor at Legacy knew in regards to the Oregon State Police investigation. He additionally stated he was visited by the FBI at his residence in the summertime of 2019. Burrows requested him if he informed Legacy that he was being investigated by the U.S. Division of Justice.
“My present employer, I consider, is conscious,” Klein responded.
“And the way have you learnt that they’re conscious?” Burrows requested.
“As a result of I might have informed them,” Klein stated.
“When did you inform your present employer in regards to the FBI investigation?” Burrows requested.
“I’m not 100% positive that I’ve, however I believe I’ve,” Klein stated.
Additionally, whereas employed at Legacy, the Oregon Nursing Board proposed revoking Klein’s license for not disclosing the state police investigation. The board later fined Klein $2,500 and reprimanded his license.
Klein stated he informed his supervisors at Legacy in regards to the nursing board investigation, too.
Although Legacy wouldn’t verify what it did or didn’t know in regards to the allegations towards Klein, a spokesperson stated the well being system was dedicated to the communities it serves.
“Nothing is extra vital to Legacy Well being than the well being and security of our sufferers and staff. We have now a robust compliance and reporting system and are totally dedicated to completely investigating all complaints introduced forth by our sufferers or members of our employees.”
Legacy wouldn’t say whether or not different staff had confronted self-discipline or been terminated in reference to Klein’s employment.