What Led a Colonial Heights Judge to Deny Restrictions on Dr. Gohar Abbasi’s Medical License Despite Serious Charges?
A Colonial Heights judge has denied a request to prohibit Dr. Gohar Abbasi from practicing medicine while facing felony charges of neglect and abuse of a vulnerable adult. During a court hearing on February 25, 2025, the Commonwealth’s Attorney asked the judge to restrict Dr. Abbasi from providing medical treatment and care while out on bond, but the request was rejected. Dr. Abbasi, a physician at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, was charged after allegedly allowing a man previously declared “not competent” to sign himself out of the facility. The case raises questions about when medical professionals can continue practicing while facing criminal charges, as several other employees at the same nursing facility were recently charged in separate neglect cases.
5 Key Points
- A Colonial Heights judge ruled on February 25, 2025, that Dr. Gohar Abbasi can continue practicing medicine while facing felony charges.
- Dr. Abbasi is charged with felony neglect and abuse of a vulnerable adult at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
- Court documents allege Dr. Abbasi allowed a schizophrenic, homeless patient declared “not competent” to sign himself out of the facility.
- The patient was later found wandering with a catheter and colostomy bag, MRSA-positive, and “barely able to walk.”
- Legal analyst Steve Benjamin explained that under Virginia law, physicians typically retain their licenses until convicted of a felony.
What Are the Specific Allegations Against Dr. Gohar Abbasi?
According to the complaint letter included in Dr. Abbasi’s court file, he allegedly permitted a vulnerable patient to sign himself out of Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center despite the patient previously being declared “not competent.” The Commonwealth’s Attorney provided additional details during the February 25 hearing, stating that the patient is schizophrenic and homeless. The prosecution alleges Dr. Abbasi was aware of the patient’s condition yet still allowed him to leave before receiving proper treatment.
The consequences of this decision were reportedly severe. After being released, the patient was seen wandering around Colonial Heights, “barely able to walk,” with a catheter still in place and a colostomy bag. According to court documents, the patient was observed “dumping its fluids out around the city.” Further complicating the situation, the patient had tested positive for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). This serious bacterial infection could increase his risk for additional infections and worsen his overall health outcomes.
During the hearing, the Commonwealth’s Attorney noted that additional complaints have been filed since Dr. Abbasi’s arrest. However, the source material did not disclose specific details about these new allegations. The charges against Dr. Abbasi are separate from those filed against several other employees at the same facility, who were arrested for neglect a few weeks before Dr. Abbasi. The source specifies that these colleagues’ arrests stem from an entirely different incident.
The felony charges of neglect and abuse of a vulnerable adult reflect the seriousness with which Virginia law treats cases involving patients considered especially susceptible to harm due to their physical or mental condition. If convicted, Dr. Abbasi could face significant penalties under Virginia law.
Why Did the Judge Allow Dr. Abbasi to Continue Practicing Medicine?
The Colonial Heights judge’s decision to permit Dr. Abbasi to continue practicing medicine while out on bond hinged on several factors discussed during the February 25 hearing. Dr. Abbasi’s defense team raised questions about inconsistencies in the timeline of events, specifically when the patient left the facility and whether Dr. Abbasi was present. These disputed facts influenced the judge’s reluctance to impose practice restrictions before the case proceeded further.
The defense also argued that prohibiting Dr. Abbasi from practicing medicine would ruin his career and remove his ability to support his wife and children. This economic impact on Dr. Abbasi and his family weighed into the judge’s decision-making process. The defense further highlighted Dr. Abbasi’s clean, professional record, noting that he has no history of issues with patients during approximately 25 years of medical practice, including his previous position as a physician at Riverside Regional Jail.
Legal analyst Steve Benjamin provided context for the judge’s decision: “The fact that a professional has been charged with a felony is not grounds for the medical board to revoke or suspend a license. That only occurs if a physician is convicted of a felony.” This statement clarifies the legal standard typically applied in Virginia when medical professionals face criminal charges.
Benjamin further elaborated on what would be necessary to restrict a physician’s practice before conviction: “What it would take in this situation, I think, is a clear and satisfactory showing that his presence and working at this facility would represent a clear danger to other patients. And absent that finding, I think most judges would defer to the idea that maintaining employment is a positive thing in a typical condition of release.” This analysis suggests the Commonwealth’s Attorney did not meet the high threshold required to restrict Dr. Abbasi’s practice pre-conviction.
What Other Restrictions Did the Commonwealth’s Attorney Request?
Beyond seeking to prohibit Dr. Abbasi from practicing medicine while out on bond, the Commonwealth’s Attorney also requested that he be barred from entering Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center during this period. This additional restriction would have prevented Dr. Abbasi from returning to the facility where the alleged neglect occurred, potentially allowing him to practice elsewhere.
The judge also denied this request, indicating that similar considerations had been weighed regarding other employees facing charges at the same facility. The source material suggests the judge has given this matter significant thought, as he mentioned “going back and forth” on whether to ban charged employees from the facility.
According to legal analyst Steve Benjamin, judges typically prioritize allowing defendants to maintain employment while awaiting trial, absent clear evidence of ongoing danger to others. This perspective helps explain why both requested restrictions were denied, despite the serious charges against Dr. Abbasi.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney does have recourse following these denials. The source notes that the prosecutor can appeal the judge’s decision, which would lead to another hearing on these matters. Whether such an appeal will be filed remains to be seen, particularly in light of the mention that additional complaints have surfaced since Dr. Abbasi’s arrest.
The case highlights the complex balance between protecting potentially vulnerable patients and preserving the rights of medical professionals who have not yet been convicted of any crime. Until a final determination is made in court, Dr. Abbasi maintains his presumption of innocence despite facing serious felony charges.
FAQ
Q: What exactly is Dr. Gohar Abbasi charged with?
A: Dr. Abbasi is charged with felony neglect and abuse of a vulnerable adult in connection with his work at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Q: Can Dr. Abbasi still practice medicine despite these charges?
A: Yes, the judge ruled on February 25, 2025, that Dr. Abbasi can continue practicing medicine and even return to the nursing facility while out on bond and awaiting trial.
Q: What did Dr. Abbasi allegedly do wrong?
A: According to court documents, Dr. Abbasi allegedly allowed a schizophrenic, homeless patient previously declared “not competent” to sign himself out of the facility before receiving proper treatment. The patient was later found wandering with a catheter and colostomy bag, MRSA-positive, and barely able to walk.
Q: Why didn’t the judge restrict Dr. Abbasi’s medical license?
A: Legal analyst Steve Benjamin explained that in Virginia, a felony charge alone is not grounds to revoke or suspend a medical license—that typically only happens after conviction. The defense also cited timeline inconsistencies and noted Dr. Abbasi’s clean 25-year practice history.
Q: Are other employees at the same facility facing similar charges?
A: Yes, several other employees at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center were charged with neglect a few weeks before Dr. Abbasi’s arrest, but the source specifies these were from a different incident.
Q: What happens next in this case?
A: The Commonwealth’s Attorney can appeal the judge’s decision not to restrict Dr. Abbasi’s practice, which would lead to another hearing. The criminal case against Dr. Abbasi will also continue through the court system.
Q: Does Dr. Abbasi have a history of similar issues?
A: According to his defense team, Dr. Abbasi has no history of issues with patients during his approximately 25 years of medical practice, including his previous work as a physician at Riverside Regional Jail.
Citations
McNamee, M. (February 25, 2025). Doctor charged in Colonial Heights nursing home negligence case still practicing. 12 On Your Side. https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/02/25/doctor-charged-colonial-heights-nursing-home-negligence-case-still-practicing/
