Manhattan, NY – A prominent Manhattan surgeon and medical professor has been indicted on multiple felony charges after allegedly raping a woman at gunpoint inside his Financial District apartment, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Tuesday.
Dr. Maurizio Miglietta, 56, a surgery professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem and an honorary NYPD trauma consultant, faces charges including first-degree rape, attempted rape, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm.
Miglietta pleaded not guilty during his arraignment before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Ann Thompson.
Allegations of Assault and Intimidation
According to court documents, Miglietta allegedly met the 28-year-old victim at a medical networking event earlier this year. On June 5, the woman visited his apartment, believing they were meeting to discuss professional collaborations.
Prosecutors say that once she arrived, the encounter quickly turned violent. Miglietta allegedly kissed the woman without her consent, and when she resisted, he lifted his shirt to reveal a loaded handgun tucked into his waistband.
The indictment states that he then placed the firearm on a coffee table near her head before sexually assaulting her, including oral rape and an attempted vaginal assault. Prosecutors say the victim repeatedly said “no” throughout the incident.
She was ultimately able to leave the apartment after initially being prevented from doing so.
District Attorney Bragg: “A Betrayal of Trust”
In a statement, DA Alvin Bragg condemned the alleged assault as an egregious abuse of authority and trust.
As alleged, this prominent doctor used his position to lure a woman to his apartment under the guise of mentorship,” Bragg said. “Instead, he displayed a firearm he claimed was loaded and sexually assaulted her as she pleaded for him to stop. This kind of predatory behavior cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Miglietta was arrested on October 13 and appeared in court the following day. The judge issued a temporary order of protection for the victim and set bail at $1 million cash, $3 million insured bond, or $3 million partially secured surety bond. He is due back in court in January 2026.
Ongoing Investigation
Miglietta, who has taught at Touro College for more than 14 years, also serves as an honorary police surgeonproviding trauma care consultation to the NYPD.
Neither Touro College nor Miglietta’s attorney responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, and Bragg urged anyone who may have experienced or witnessed similar conduct to contact the Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373.
“We want to ensure that all survivors know they will be heard, believed, and protected,” Bragg said.
Midtown Times Analysis: A Case That Raises Institutional Questions
The allegations against Dr. Miglietta highlight growing concerns about professional misconduct within academia and medicine, particularly when senior figures hold positions of trust and authority.
As a professor, surgeon, and police consultant, Miglietta occupied a rare intersection of influence — one that prosecutors argue he exploited. The case also underscores how institutions like medical schools and hospitals must strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure that allegations of misconduct, intimidation, or abuse are handled swiftly and transparently.
In recent years, high-profile cases involving physicians and educators accused of sexual assault have prompted universities nationwide to reexamine their ethics policies, campus reporting systems, and faculty vetting processes.
For Touro College, an institution built on principles of professionalism and community trust, the outcome of this case may have far-reaching implications for how it addresses internal accountability moving forward.
By The Midtown Times News Desk. Some facts are adapted from reporting by the New York Times (October 14, 2025).
