REGISTERED NURSE CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS COMMITTED IN HOSPITAL E.R.

MADISON - A registered nurse accused of sexually assaulting patients in an emergency room where he worked has pled no contest to one felony count of third degree sexual assault and one misdemeanor count of fourth degree sexual assault. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced that Brian Hoffart, 40, of Grafton, now faces up to ten years in prison and nine months in jail. Hoffart appeared before Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jeffery Wagner on May 7, 2007, to enter his plea.

According to the Department of Justice criminal complaint, Hoffart was employed as an R.N. in the emergency room at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee. On December 15, 2005, a patient went to the E.R. complaining of abdominal pain. Hoffart volunteered to be assigned to the victim even though he already had more than the standard number of patients in his care. The victim was alone in an examination room with Hoffart when he assaulted her under the guise of an examination. During the assault Hoffart did not allow into the room both the hospital registration clerk and the patient's boyfriend. The patient felt uncomfortable with Hoffart's conduct and reported the assault immediately after Hoffart left the room.

On November 2, 2004, another E.R. patient seeking treatment for abdominal pain was assaulted by Hoffart.

"No patient -- no person -- should ever have to endure what these patients went through," Van Hollen said. "Examination rooms should be safe places, where patients can put their full confidence in the medical professionals that attend to them. On rare occasions, people like Brian Hoffart take advantage of their positions and take advantage of their patients by committing sexual assault. Rest assured, the state will do everything in its power to position these people behind bars."

Hoffart's employment at Froedtert was terminated as a result of the incidents.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2007, at which time Hoffart faces potentially ten years imprisonment on the felony and nine months jail on the misdemeanor.

Assistant Attorney General Eric D. DГfort represents the State in this prosecution.