Accused Rotterdam dentist’s license suspended

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

The dentist license of Frank Izzo, who is accused of repeatedly inappropriately touching young female patients, has been suspended by the state, according to a report filed this week.

The report also includes allegations that Izzo had an inappropriate relationship with a woman who was described as a patient who is learning disabled.

Employees have backed the claims of the patients, alleging Izzo “repeatedly and intentionally placed his hand on the breasts of numerous female patients,” the report reads.

Izzo, 52, a longtime dentist who had an office on Broadway in Rotterdam, did not object to the summary suspension of his license, according to the paperwork. But Izzo did deny the allegations themselves.

Law enforcement authorities were monitoring the state proceedings, prosecutor Jessica Lorusso confirmed Wednesday.

Had Izzo opposed the suspension or attempted to start practicing again, authorities had plans to file more charges, Lorusso said.

State police have previously placed the number of accusers at seven. The licensing report by the state Education Department suggests that number has grown to nine.

Authorities were also periodically monitoring Izzo’s old office to ensure Izzo did not resume seeing patients, Lorusso said.

Lorusso said she was not aware of any attempts by Izzo to resume practice. The summary license suspension now officially prevents Izzo from practicing.

Izzo is represented by attorney Steve Coffey, who declined to comment on either Izzo’s license status or the criminal case against him.

It was unclear if further proceedings would be held on Izzo’s license status.

Izzo was arrested Oct. 12 on multiple misdemeanor counts, accused of touching the breasts of girls during dental exams, the inappropriate touching dating back as far as April 2009. The touches were brief, state police said, but still criminal.

Four victims were under the age of 17, two of those under the age of 14, state police have said. Another was in her 20s. State police said the youngest victims were 12 or 13 years old.

State police officials have described the touches as brief, with excuses or quick apologies given.

Further charges could still be filed, Lorusso confirmed. Any further charges, however, are expected to remain misdemeanor level, the same level as the current charges.

Lorusso did not have an exact number of total accusers. The state report, however, suggests nine. The exact number in the paperwork is not clear due to redactions. Ages of victims referred to in the paperwork were also not included.

Among the accusations in the state paperwork:

u One patient accuses Izzo of placing his hand on her breast and on her vaginal area, both over her clothing. The accuser told authorities the incidents happened more than once in 2010.

u Eight other patients told police Izzo touched their breasts more than once between 2003 and October 2010.

u Izzo is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with another patient, the time frame only placed between 1990 and 2010. That patient was described as having learning disabilities. Izzo allegedly took the woman out to dinner, taking her to a friend’s apartment. He also allegedly talked to her about sex and took a photo of her unclothed vaginal area. Asked about that accuser, Lorusso said she was over 18. But Lorusso said the alleged incident could still result in a criminal charge.

u Three women described as employees backed up the claims by the patients, alleging Izzo “repeatedly and intentionally” placed his hand on patients’ breasts while they worked for him.

Izzo, of Nelson Avenue, Schenectady, faces two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, three counts of third-degree sexual abuse and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors.