Alpine doctor appears in court on sex abuse charges

PROVO — An Alpine doctor accused of videotaping and fondling his employees made his first appearance in 4th District Court on Monday.

Dr. Steven Pack, 51, is charged with two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; two counts of misdemeanor voyeurism by electronic equipment; and obstruction of justice, also a misdemeanor.

Two female employees, ages 18 and 19, told police in July that they had been videotaped while changing in an exam room. Officers say they found the video camera, other equipment and a hard drive with images of the women in Pack's possession.

Prosecutors say he also touched the women and impeded an investigation by police.

One day after he was arrested in August, an employee sued Pack, accusing him of fondling her under the guise of demonstrating medical tests. She alleged sexual battery, sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress.

The woman, who said the alleged incidents caused her to stop reporting to work at Mountain Medical Urgent Care in Lehi, also charged negligent hiring and wrongful termination.

A similar lawsuit was filed last week in 4th District Court by another former employee.

Douglas Thayer, the attorney representing both women, said Pack has demonstrated a pattern of inappropriate actions.

"This has been going on for a couple of years," Thayer said. "This guy has a history."

The recent allegations are not Pack's first brush with the law. He entered a plea in abeyance to charges of falsifying prescriptions and filing a fraudulent insurance claim in 2006. Those charges were dismissed last year after he paid $5,000 in restitution.

The state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing suspended Pack's medical license at a hearing in September, finding he had "engaged in unprofessional conduct" that presented a "threat to the public health, safety and welfare."

Pack and his attorney, Ron Yengich, declined to comment as they left court Monday. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 21.

e-mail: pkoepp@desnews.com