Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today an Essex County jury convicted Dr. Raymond Russomanno, 67, of Randolph on four counts of criminal sexual contact on a 27-year-old female patient who came to the doctor’s Bloomfield office complaining of back pain.
The jury found the doctor not guilty on two counts of attempted sexual assault and seven other counts of criminal sexual contact. If he had been found guilty of the more serious charges of attempted sexual assault, the doctor would have faced ten years in state prison.
The state alleged Russomanno engaged in criminal sexual acts over the course of five visits in 2007. The last two visits were scheduled at the behest of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to videotape the doctor.
Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino, who tried the case, said, “We are gratified with the guilty verdict on the four counts because it means he will never be able to practice medicine again.’’
In addition, Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Laurino said, “We will now move forward with another trial in the case of 15 other victims. We plan to try him on those charges after he is sentenced in this case.’’
The Honorable Joseph Cassini, 3rd, who presided over the trial, scheduled sentencing for June 6. When he is sentenced, Russomanno faces 18 months in prison. All together 16 victims have come forward alleging Russomanno engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct during doctor visits.
An Essex County grand jury returned a 51-count indictment against Russomanno. The case of the 27-year-old female patient was tried separately because it was the only case involving a videotape. The case involving the other 15 victims is expected to be handled in a single trial.
