Prominent Broward Doctor Cleared Of Sex Charges

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – A woman who accused a prominent Pompano Beach physician of sexual battery has a history of unfounded claims and was attempting to set the doctor up.

That is the conclusion reached by the Broward County State Attorney's office in dropping sexual battery charges against Dr. Edwin Hamilton, a prominent physician, minister and Sunday school teacher.

"I feel great, I just feel great," Hamilton told CBS4's Gary Nelson Thursday in a brief exchange at his clinic.

Hamilton's attorney, George Allen, quoted the doctor as saying, "I'm grateful to be relieved from the mental anguish and pressure of these allegations. Now, I can go back to serving my patients and being with my family."

In May, a 37-year-old woman filed a police report claiming that Hamilton had exposed himself, fondled her, and sexually penetrated her in an exam room at his office. The woman's cell phone dialed her sister during the incident, and the sister made an audio recording.

In a memorandum declining to prosecute the doctor, Assistant State Attorney Christine Adler wrote that the cell phone recording of the encounter more closely resembled a "flirtatious conversation between her and her doctor, not someone being attacked."

Adler said the woman continued to see Hamilton, even though she alleged he had previously touched her inappropriately. The prosecutor suggested that the alleged victim arranged to have the May incident recorded in an effort to set him up.

The prosecutor did not conclude one way or the other if there was, in fact, sexual contact between the two, but that if there was, based on the tone of the tape recording, it was consensual.

The state noted that the woman had previously accused a paramedic of sexually assaulting her, and that charge was also dropped as being unsubstantiated.

The prosecutor said that it was her belief the alleged victim was "being less than truthful as to the alleged sexual battery" by Dr. Hamilton.

Hamilton's wife, Mary, told CBS4's Gary Nelson Thursday that the family knew her husband would be exonerated.

"The family is very relieved. We are very happy. We are very strong in our faith in God," Mary Hamilton said.

She said the family harbors no bitterness toward the woman who, the state concluded, falsely accused the doctor.

"We pray for her family, and ask the people to pray for her and for her family," Mary said.

Mary said she and her husband were grateful for the "outpouring of support" they have received since the allegations were first brought.

Edwin Hamilton is a pioneer among African American medical professionals in Broward County. He was the first Black to be elected President of the Broward County Medical Association, and first Black to be named Chief of Surgery at Broward General Hospital.

Hamilton is also a pastor, and teaches Sunday school classes at his church, Mt. Olive Baptist in Fort Lauderdale.