On Dec. 3, 2003 Orlando Cano

pled no contest to the final criminal charge against him, simple battery.

As a result of plea negotiations, he offered no defense to the allegation

that he touched a patient in an insulting and provoking manner during

a gynecological examination.

The trial on that charge resulted

in a mistrial in September of this year. Orlando Cano was convicted of

two counts of sexual battery against two of his former employees in November

of this year.

The only reason he wasn't

convicted of a third count of sexual battery was that the victim testified

the offense was committed in his Stockbridge, Henry County, office, not

in Fayette County.

Orlando Cano was sentenced

to serve 12 months in jail on two counts, 12 months of probation on the

remaining count, a $10,000 fine and restricted from practicing medicine.

As part of the state's

case we amassed over 35 former patients who asserted that he fondled,

groped, or sexually abused them. In addition we located, and interviewed

approximately 12 former employees, and nursing staff form area hospitals

who asserted sexually abusive and harassing treatment from Orlando Cano.

At trial Orlando Cano asserted

that the witnesses were lying and making up stories, or that if he touched

them, it was accidental due to the close quarters within which they worked,

or that if he touched them, he couldn't help it because of his Hispanic

heritage.

Such a defense was argued by

me to be ludicrous and insulting to a class of hard-working honest people.

The jury agreed.

Orlando Cano was a talented

physician who has helped many women. However, he misused and abused that

position of trust to victimize many women.

When this case got started,

we had a goal of ending his medical practice (therefore stemming the flow

of victims), holding him accountable for his conduct, and helping the

victims of his crimes. We accomplished our goal.

When questioned on the stand

about why she didn't immediately cry out when Cano grabbed her breast,

one nursing assistant from a local hospital testified on the stand that

she was a young, black female who didn't make the hospital any money,

and he was a physician. "Who would believe me?"

I am proud to state that six

jurors and one prosecutor believed her.

Steven L. Harris

Solicitor-General

Fayette County