Disturbing Allegations: Women accuse doctor of sexual assault in civil lawsuit

A Southwest Philadelphia doctor has been sued for allegedly sexually assaulting some of his patients. The women believe he should be facing criminal charges. And they sat down with investigative reporter Chad Padelli to share their story tonight. The allegations are disturbing. According to a complaint obtained by the investigative team, three women sued Dr. Herbert Tisnauer earlier this year, accusing him of sexually assaulting them while providing care. Two agreed to share their story. Under the condition we not use their names or show their faces. The sign for Saul Family Medicine is gone. The grass is long. But it was inside this run-down medical office on the 1800 block of South 65th Street in Southwest Philadelphia that the three women claimed Dr. Herbert Tisnauer sexually abused them over the past several years. According to the complaint, both women say Dr. Tisnauer penetrated them ungloved. I just stood there in a state of shock. Both women tell us Tisnauer's alleged abuse escalated, claiming it began with sexualized comments about their figures to physical abuse. In the civil suit, one woman says the 80-year-old requested to perform oral sex on her. Just like, I couldn't believe he did it. So, um, he felt comfortable and it started to progress more. Both women went to police according to the complaint, and this woman says special victims investigated the case, but charges were never filed. Both women say they suffer from mental illness, for which Tisnauer prescribed medication. Did you ever tell them this is wrong? Yeah, I told them plenty of times. The three women sued Dr. Tisnauer in January of this year. One even applied for a protection from sexual violence order. As the trial approached, court records show that Dr. Tisnauer settled with all three women for a total of $100,000. No admission of wrongdoing. The protection from sexual violence order was then dropped, and it appears he's since shut down his practice. I want to talk about some of the allegations. We confronted Dr. Tisnauer outside his Fairmount home. I don't want to talk about anything. He didn't comment. He struggled to get inside his front door as we pressed him on the allegations. Do you deny the allegations? Earlier this month, two more plaintiffs filed paperwork informing Dr. Tisnauer they plan to sue. Details of the case have not been filed. An attorney for Tisnauer released a statement to Action News saying in part, he denies allegations of wrongdoing. He has not been charged with any criminal offenses. These women want that to change. It was about him acknowledging what he did and him to be arrested. and apologize and get some help. And Philadelphia police said it couldn't comment on the case. A check of state records indicates Dr. Tisnauer is still licensed. He has no prior disciplinary action, and a spokesperson for the medical board couldn't comment if it was aware of the allegations or conducting an investigation. I'm investigative reporter Chad Perdelli, Channel 6 Action News.