Fertility specialist pleads no contest to sexual battery charges

PROVO — A Springville fertility specialist pleaded no contest Friday to charges relate to accusations that he inappropriately touched female patients during exams.

Larry Glen Andrew, 44, was scheduled to begin a jury trial next week on 19 counts of forcible sex abuse. He was accused of inappropriately touching female patients who were coming to him for help getting pregnant.

Instead, he took a deal and pleaded no contest to eight class A misdemeanors of sexual battery — charges that each carry the potential of one year in jail.

Andrew was charged with the felonies in March 2006 after several patients went to the Utah County Attorney's Office with concerns that they had been touched inappropriately.

Several other women came forward later with fears that they too had been touched in ways inconsistent with normal medical procedures.

Three patients sat in the back of court Friday afternoon and said they were a little disappointed with the plea agreement because they feel it is lenient.

"If there was something I could do to keep him from doing this to other people," said one woman. "I just hope DOPL (the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) takes away his license forever."

Andrew is still practicing in Springville although a DOPL hearing will be held based on the no-contest plea to determine his future license status, said Francine Giani, executive director of the Department of Commerce, which includes DOPL.

He will be sentenced Nov. 6.