Charge: Maple Grove doctor accused of sexually assaulting patient

A North Memorial Health doctor is accused of sexually assaulting a patient last year, according to charges filed Tuesday.

Javaid Saleem, 55, of Maple Grove, was charged in Hennepin County District Court with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was charged via summons, meaning he was not arrested and will be allowed to turn himself into the sheriff's office at a future date for booking. Suspects charged via summons are typically booked and released the same day.

Saleem was working for the North Memorial Health Maple Grove Clinic at the time of the alleged 2020 incident.

Saleem declined to comment when reached by phone Tuesday. His attorney, Amy S. Conners, said in a statement: "Dr. Saleem categorically denies these allegations and will prove his innocence in court."

North Memorial Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carolyn Ogland issued a written statement saying that Saleem was placed on administrative leave last spring on the day police notified them of the allegation, and was fired Tuesday.

"North Memorial Health has cooperated with police throughout the investigation of the alleged incident," Ogland's statement said. "Dr. Saleem is no longer employed, effective [Tuesday]."

Ogland said she could not comment on the case because it's pending.

It's unknown if there are any other investigations into Saleem's conduct. Maple Grove police Cmdr. Jon Wetternach said the department would not comment. "If there were other active investigations against the doctor we would not release that information because it would be confidential and part of an active investigation," he said.

According to the criminal complaint: Last spring a woman reported that she had been assaulted by Saleem earlier that day. The woman told Maple Grove police she had been having abdominal issues and first saw Saleem the previous week. He allegedly wanted to perform a rectal exam on the woman, who did not feel it was necessary because she had no issues with bowel movements.

Saleem wrote the woman a prescription and recommended that she see a gastrointestinal specialist.

The woman told police she was unable to schedule an appointment with a specialist and could not afford the prescription, so she saw Saleem a second time in hopes he could refer her to a generic form of the medication.

During the second visit, Saleem allegedly told the woman he wanted to check her "bum" and she expressed doubts about it but followed his orders.

Saleem is accused of asking the woman to partly undress and then assaulting her, the complaint said. Afterward, the woman allegedly saw Saleem typing on a computer with one of his hands hidden under his coat near his groin.

The woman's medical records showed no notes about a mass being found during the second visit, but Saleem allegedly later provided a statement saying he found a mass while examining the woman.

Saleem's LinkedIn profile says he is a doctor of obstetrics, pediatrics and family medicine. He listed his tenure with North Memorial Health as 2007 to present.

His previous employment included medical director at St. Cloud State University for eight months in 2006 and 2007, and primary care and emergency room physician at a clinic in Sioux Falls, S.D., from 1999 to 2006.

Chao Xiong • 612-270-4708

Twitter: @ChaoStrib