OREGON CITY, Ore. (KATU) — Former West Linn physician Dr. David Farley, accused by more than 100 women and children of sexual abuse disguised as medical treatment, is now facing criminal charges, attorneys representing his former patients confirmed Thursday.
A court hearing in the case has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at the Clackamas County Courthouse, though details of the specific charges have not yet been released. Farley’s accusers — many of whom are plaintiffs in a nearly $1 billion civil lawsuit — declined to comment ahead of the hearing, their attorney said.
Years of Allegations and a Massive Civil Suit
The criminal charges come more than two years after Farley was first accused of widespread sexual misconduct involving patients at his West Linn clinic. More than 100 women and minors have come forward, alleging that Farley sexually abused or assaulted them during medical appointments, often under the pretense of legitimate examinations or treatments.
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In a pending civil lawsuit filed in Clackamas County Circuit Court, the former patients accuse Farley of a pattern of abuse spanning years and seek damages totaling nearly $1 billion. The lawsuit also targets multiple institutions, alleging that medical boards, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies failed to act on earlier warnings about his conduct.
Farley’s medical license was suspended following the allegations, and he has not practiced medicine since.
A Case Reopened After Earlier Setback
The criminal case marks a turning point in a long and controversial investigation. In 2022, Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth declined to bring charges after a grand jury failed to indict Farley, citing what he described as gaps in Oregon law that provided too much protection for physicians performing medical procedures.
At the time, Wentworth said the evidence was compelling but that the state’s statutes surrounding medical consent and examinations made it difficult to secure criminal charges.
After widespread public criticism — particularly from former patients and advocacy groups — Wentworth’s office formally requested that the Oregon Attorney General’s Office take over the investigation. That request eventually led to the current charges now being filed against Farley.
Victims and Advocates Demand Accountability
Many of Farley’s former patients have accused both the West Linn Police Department and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office of mishandling the early stages of the case, saying their complaints were minimized or ignored.
“Patients trusted Dr. Farley with their health and safety, and instead they were violated,” said one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys in a prior court filing. “This case represents a systemic failure — one that allowed abuse to persist for years under the guise of medical care.”
Several advocacy groups have praised the state’s decision to move forward with criminal charges, calling it a long-overdue step toward justice for survivors.
Attorney General’s Office Yet to Comment
KATU has reached out to Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s office for details about the charges and comment on the state’s involvement in the case but has not yet received a response.
The criminal prosecution now adds a new dimension to one of Oregon’s most high-profile medical abuse scandals in recent history.
Farley, who has consistently denied the allegations, is expected to appear in court Friday afternoon for his initial hearing. The outcome of that proceeding could determine whether he remains in custody or is released pending trial.
For the women and children who accused him, it represents a long-awaited opportunity to see the doctor who once held their trust finally face potential criminal accountability.
