A woman has filed a lawsuit against a Las Vegas medical clinic, asserting that a front desk employee sexually assaulted her during an off-the-clock appointment.
The unnamed woman claims that Edward Tionloc, 42, assaulted her on two occasions at the Oasis Medical Services clinic in west Las Vegas back in February.
The woman reported the incidents to the Metropolitan Police Department on February 18. Following her report, Tionloc was arrested on February 26 and is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center.
He faces serious charges, including one count of sexual assault, one count of battery with intent to commit sexual assault, and one count of open or gross lewdness.
Court records indicate that Tionloc is set for a jury trial in October.
Al Lasso, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiff, expressed concern that there may be additional victims who have suffered similar assaults by Tionloc while at the clinic.
Lasso highlighted that Tionloc was allegedly paid under the table, which raises questions about the oversight and safety of patients at the facility.
“He’s working in a facility that treats vulnerable people,” Lasso remarked.
The woman had previously been a patient at Oasis Medical, which specializes in infectious disease care. Her connection to the clinic was through Farooq Shaikh, that owns the clinic and is a licensed medical doctor.
The initial encounter with Tionloc took place on February 11 when she visited for a urinary tract issue. During that visit, she said that Tionloc, whom she believed to be merely a front desk worker, led her to a private room for a screening assessment.
During this assessment, Tionloc allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior by touching her stomach and back and subsequently groping her breasts. Although she found the experience alarming, she initially dismissed it as odd but harmless.
However, during a follow-up visit a week later at Tionloc’s request, the situation escalated.
When she arrived for this second appointment, she found the clinic closed, yet Tionloc welcomed her in and directed her to an exam room.
In a shocking turn, he instructed her to pull down her pants for a swabbing procedure. When he returned with gloves but without the swab, he instead began to touch her vagina.
Throughout this encounter, Tionloc reportedly pressed her about her personal life, including her family and sex life, and repeatedly asked her out despite her having informed him multiple times that she was married.
The victim took the initiative to record the encounter on her phone. Video evidence captured by investigators reportedly revealed Tionloc making inappropriate comments.
A nurse practitioner at the clinic corroborated the allegations by identifying Tionloc as a temporary worker, noting that he had been fired following patient complaints. Attempts to reach the owners of the clinic for comments were unsuccessful.
Elizabeth Abdur-Raheem, the executive director of the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, indicated that cases like this might not be as uncommon as people think.
“Unfortunately, we observe a fair amount of sexual abuse occurring within medical practices across Nevada,” Abdur-Raheem stated.
She emphasized the challenge in waking awareness around these abuses, noting that victims often hesitate to come forward.
When allegations do surface, they often stem from one individual’s courage to speak out, encouraging others to share similar experiences.
Lasso, the plaintiff’s attorney, speculated that more victims might emerge as this case proceeds.
“Without exposing this behavior, it will continue to occur behind closed doors,” he warned.
Lasso commended the victim for her bravery, asserting that those who prey on vulnerable individuals rely on the assumption that they will remain silent.
“This kind of treatment cannot be tolerated,” Lasso added, expressing hope that more victims will find the courage to come forward.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the focus remains on exposing and addressing the issues at the Oasis Medical Services clinic, ensuring the safety of its patients.
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