Hunt Goes On For Fugitive Abortionist
The Daily Oakland Press
Police are still searching for a physician who is accused of sexually assaulting female abortion patients after he failed to appear for his preliminary examination last week.
The exam was continued to Monday and then was rescheduled for March 21 in 48th District Court, Bloomfield Township, at the request of the defense attorney.
"We believe he has left the country," said Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Barbara Morrison, noting the doctor could have taken a trip to his native Argentina.
Rodolfo Finkelstein, 55, of Bloomfield Township, a physician who performs abortions locally and in Livonia, faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carry a life sentence if convicted, as well as five fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charges.
District Judge Kimberly Small has forfeited his bond and issued a bench warrant for his arrest. Another warrant will be issued if he is ordered to stand trial in circuit court.
The next exam is expected to determine if testimony from an alleged victim's ex-boyfriend and a nurse who cared for her will be admitted as evidence.
Also, Morrison said she will ask Small to order Finkelstein to stand trial on all of the charges in Oakland Circuit Court, whether or not he is present.
The victim, who alleged she was groped before the abortion procedure and again during the post examination and that Finkelstein tried to kiss her, has fled and is not cooperating with investigators, officials said.
Two other alleged victims testified Feb. 25
Finkelstein is married with children. He surrendered his passport at his arraignment, but Morrison said she is unsure whether he also had an Argentinean passport or an alternate American passport.
She said a detective discovered that Finkelstein left the country on March 1 and, "We do not know if he is on the return flight. We're not sure if he is here or in Argentina.
"We are actively seeking his whereabouts.
"Now we're focusing on getting the case bound over and the next step is finding him and determining whether extradition procedures will be appropriate," Morrison said.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/st
ories/031505/loc_20050315014.shtml
Posted by Editor at March 15, 2005 03:35 PM
