Southwest Ohio pediatrician guilty of 16 sex-related charges
10/16/2009HAMILTON, Ohio — A jury has found a southwest Ohio pediatrician guilty of 16 sex-related charges involving former patients.
Jurors returned their verdict Friday after deliberating for about 13 hours in the case of Dr. Mark Blankenburg. The 53-year-old pediatrician faced 41 charges involving sex, drugs, bribery, money laundering and compelling prostitution. The judge will determine the remaining 25 counts.
Prosecutors offered testimony from four men who said Blankenburg molested them when they were children. Prosecutors also say the doctor paid accusers money and drugs to keep silent. Defense attorneys have said the allegations are false and that accusers extorted money and drugs.