Lawsuit Alleges Irvine Physician Sexually Assaulted Multiple Patients at UCI Medical Center and Hoag Clinic

Fifteen women have filed a lawsuit against Dr. John C. Hoefs, an Irvine physician, alleging that he sexually assaulted them during medical examinations at UCI Medical Center and a clinic affiliated with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. The lawsuit, filed in Orange County Superior Court, claims that the abuse began in 2006 and continued until Hoefs’ arrest in May 2024 for the sexual battery of two female patients at UCI and his Hoag-affiliated Liver Specialty Center in Irvine.

Dr. Hoefs, a 79-year-old hepatologist residing in Irvine, is currently facing charges of sexual battery involving six additional patients. If convicted on all 20 counts of felony sexual battery, he could potentially face more than two decades in prison.

The 15 plaintiffs, who remain unidentified, are suing Hoefs, Hoag, the Liver Specialty Center, and the Regents of the University of California system for sexual assault, battery, negligent hiring, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and other alleged violations. The lawsuit claims that Hoag had received numerous complaints about Hoefs and was aware of his “dangerous propensity” to sexually abuse female patients as early as 2017. Despite these complaints, Hoag allegedly failed to take corrective action and continued to allow Hoefs access to vulnerable patients seeking medical care.

The Medical Board of California issued an interim suspension order in May, prohibiting Hoefs from having any contact with former, current, or prospective patients. UCI Health, where Hoefs was employed, is accused of deliberately concealing his employment and allowing him unrestricted access to female patients for nearly two decades.

Both UCI and Hoefs have not yet responded to requests for comment.

In a statement, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian clarified that Hoefs was never an employee of Hoag but rather operated an independent, private medical practice with affiliations at various organizations. Upon learning of his arrest, Hoag suspended his hospital privileges and access to his leased space.

The plaintiffs, during a press conference held at the law offices of Manly, Stewart & Finaldi in Irvine, shared their experiences of alleged abuse by Hoefs. One plaintiff, a Mission Viejo resident, reported Hoefs’ misconduct to the California Medical Board in 2017 but claims no action was taken. Another plaintiff, a Rowland Heights resident, described how Hoefs smirked and laughed while exposing and fondling her breasts. The lawsuit includes similar accounts from other plaintiffs, including instances of Hoefs manipulating breasts and engaging in inappropriate behavior during medical examinations.

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Morgan A. Stewart, asserts that Hoefs’ affiliated medical facilities were aware of his risk to patients but continued to refer patients to him due to business considerations.

The ongoing criminal proceedings against Hoefs are being cooperatively addressed by Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, which expressed its disheartenment over the troubling allegations.