North Carolina gynecologist faces sexual assault lawsuit

A gynecologist from North Carolina the man who came under fire for sharing explicit photos two years ago A lawsuit was filed alleging that he sexually assaulted the patient during the examination without the patient’s consent.

The lawsuit, filed May 5 in Gaston County by a patient identified only as “Jane Doe,” accuses Dr. Sean Michael Lynch allegedly assaulted the patient during an examination on June 30, 2023. The lawsuit specifically states that Lynch performed a pelvic examination and then sent the female nurse out of the room with the sample she took. After the nurse left, Lynch touched the patient’s vagina, inserted his fingers and held them there for more than five minutes, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit states that Lynch did not explain the purpose of this examination and became “jealous” towards the patient when he questioned the patient’s intentions.

The lawsuit states that during a conversation later in Lynch’s office, the patient had what he described as a panic attack. According to the lawsuit, Lynch had a sonogram of the patient’s right ovary and stated that the patient requested a different doctor when a follow-up visit was scheduled to discuss the results. The lawsuit states that clinic staff did not allow her to see another doctor. During the visit in August 2023, the patient experienced another panic attack, according to the lawsuit.

The patient was scheduled to be visited again in November 2023, and the woman asked for a doctor but was again denied, according to the lawsuit.

During that date, Lynch complimented her appearance several times, the lawsuit states.

The patient was scheduled to reschedule in January 2024, but when he called the clinic to inquire about the appointment, he was informed that Lynch was no longer working at the clinic, the lawsuit states.

According to the consent decree issued by the North Carolina Medical Board, Lynch was the subject of two complaints three days apart in December 2023. Lynch was later reprimanded by the Medical Board for sharing sensational photographs of patients with patrons at a bar he frequented. The photos were on Lynch’s cell phone, and some showed unconscious patients on the operating table, according to the order.

While Lynch was reprimanded, his medical license was suspended under the following conditions:

• Allow him to be professionally monitored by the North Carolina Professional Health Program

• Complete a 16-hour continuing medical education course

• Comply with all laws governing the practice of medicine

• Contact the Medical Board for an investigative interview

• Provide evidence of compliance with the Medical Board’s requirements

Lynch’s North Carolina medical license was still active on May 6, according to the North Carolina Medical Board. The Board of Health’s website indicates Lynch is based in Belmont.

Lynch could not be reached for comment.

CaroMont Health is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. CaroMont said in a statement in 2024 that Lynch had not worked for the organization since late 2023. In an email sent May 6, the organization declined to comment further.

This article was first published in The Gaston Gazette: Gaston County, North Carolina gynecologist faces sexual assault lawsuit