Man Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assault In Bridgeport Hospital

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A former patient at St. Vincent's Medical Center is suing the hospital, claiming he was among dozens of people sexually assaulted by a nursing assistant.

The lawsuit charges that Gonzalo Flores, of Bridgeport, a former certified nursing assistant, entered the patient's room unathorized and unsupervised, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported. The patient was seriously ill when he was admitted and was heavily medicated much of the time he was there, essentially leaving him in a helpless state, his lawyer said.

The former patient and his wife are seeking more than $25 million in damages from the hospital.

"He and his wife have real fears about what happens to him when he wasn't conscious enough to know it, and they have real fears about what disease may have been passed on," Antonio Ponvert III, the attorney for the alleged victim, told Schneidau.

Flores, of Bridgeport, has pleaded not guilty in two separate sexual assault cases.

Ponvert III said Flores, however, has confessed to molesting numerous patients during the three years he worked at St. Vincent's. There may have been more than 100 victims, Ponvert said.

A message seeking comment was left Thursday with a hospital spokeswoman.

The lawsuit alleges the plaintiff's assault happened after hospital officials had been notified of Flores' behavior in other cases.

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