A former Portland-area podiatrist has pleaded guilty to a string of sexual-abuse charges tied to examinations of female patients at his clinic, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office said Thursday.
Case details and charges
Authorities identified the defendant as Brian M. Bowen, 52. Bowen pleaded guilty to 12 charges, including third-degree sexual abuse and sexual abuse by fraudulent representation. Prosecutors say the charges arise from misconduct toward about a dozen female patients during medical appointments at Eastside Foot & Ankle on Northeast 44th Avenue in Portland.
According to the district attorney's office, police began investigating Bowen in September 2022 after a woman reported being sexually abused during an exam at the clinic. A second woman reported a similar assault in January 2023, and a grand jury returned an indictment in December of that year. Bowen had previously been convicted of first-degree sexual abuse following a bench trial.
He faces more than eight years in prison, the district attorney's office said.
What comes next
Bowen is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 14. The district attorney’s office says the former podiatrist could receive more than eight years behind bars under the charges to which he has pleaded guilty.
Local impact and resources
The case has renewed concerns among Portland patients about safety during medical exams and the mechanisms available to report misconduct. Health care providers and clinics in the Portland area say clear communication, chaperone policies and prompt reporting are central to rebuilding trust after allegations like these surface.
- Clinic involved: Eastside Foot & Ankle, NE 44th Avenue, Portland
- Investigation began: September 2022
- Indictment: December 2023
- Sentencing: Aug. 14
Survivors and community members were provided resources by prosecutors. Those resources include the Beaverton Sexual Assault Resource Center at 503-626-9100 (4900 SW Griffith Drive, Suite 135, Beaverton) and the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or RAINN.org, available 24/7.
Broader context
Criminal cases involving medical professionals who abuse positions of trust can have ripple effects through patients’ willingness to seek care and the obligations of clinics to supervise and report misconduct. In Portland, this prosecution follows a multi-year investigation and an earlier conviction in the same matter, underscoring the lengthy legal processes that can follow allegations of abuse in clinical settings.
As Bowen moves toward sentencing, local public health officials and patient-advocacy groups say the focus should be on supporting survivors, reviewing clinic policies and ensuring clear reporting avenues when patients feel unsafe.
