Okemos physical therapist faces 7 more sexual assault charges involving multiple women

MASON — An Okemos physical therapist has now been charged with sexually assaulting five women. 

Ajay Bhargava, who owns Okemos Therapy Services, had previously been charged with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. 

Another seven counts, involving four women, were recently filed in Ingham County. A sixth woman's case is being reviewed by the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office, Meridian Township Police Department Lt. Rick Grillo said. 

Court records show the reported sexual assaults took place on five different days, ranging from March 2012 to June 2019. One of the new cases involves a woman whose report the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office declined to pursue in 2018.

Bhargava's attorney, Chris Wickman, did not respond for comment Tuesday. 

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has an open investigation on Bhargava and his license has been suspended since November. 

Additional allegations: More women come forward about Okemos physical therapist facing sex assault charge

He has no public record of disciplinary actions from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. 

He had a prior complaint in July 2010 where no action was taken, according to records from LARA. Because LARA took no action, those records are sealed to the public.

Bhargava refused to give a statement to police when they spoke to him in July.

In the first case that was charged, a woman told police Bhargava touched her breasts in a way that was more intimate than clinical. He had his hand inside her bra, moving around her nipple as he pushed on her breast, according to the police report. She said he also put his hand down her pants and touched her buttocks underneath her underwear. 

She described his actions as being similar to an intimate moment, like he was trying to arouse her, according to the report. Once she sat up, Bhargava went to sit down, covering his crotch with his hands, she told police. She could tell he was aroused, she told police. 

Bhargava was charged with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection to her report, the first charge of the eight he now faces. 

A preliminary exam, where a judge determines if there is probable cause for the case to proceed to trial, is scheduled for May 28. 

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Contact reporter Kara Berg at 517-377-1113 or kberg@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @karaberg95.