Little Canada chiropractor pleads guilty to rape

A former chiropractor with a history of sexual misconduct with female clients pleaded guilty Monday to raping a patient in May.

Paul D. Thompson, 54, of Vadnais Heights, pleaded guilty in Ramsey County District Court to third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

As part of his plea deal, a charge of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct will be dismissed.

The deal calls for no more than four years in prison when Thompson is sentenced on Oct. 13, and allows his attorney, Mike Colich, to argue for less time.

Thompson also will be required to register as a predatory offender.

Thompson testified briefly in court Monday, admitting that he raped a client on May 8 at his Little Canada practice.

The Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners revoked his license in June.

Thompson had treated the victim on and off for 10 years, and was treating her twice a week for injuries she suffered in a car accident.

The woman had a 4:30 p.m. appointment on the day of the rape. She removed some of her clothes and put on a hospital gown.

Thompson then took her to a room where he undressed and raped her, the charges said.

Afterward, Thompson performed chiropractic therapy on the woman's back.

The woman told authorities that she didn't report the rape immediately because she didn't want anyone to know about it. She said she was in shock at the time, and didn't speak up during the assault for fear Thompson would use more force.

After his arrest, Thompson told authorities that he had touched the woman's breasts and vagina during previous sessions.

In 1991, the chiropractic board had put him on probation for "inappropriately" touching and making suggestive or personal remarks to several women patients and a female employee from 1986 to 1989.

The board again put him on probation in 2005 for similar conduct with a female patient. That case led to a second evaluation by a psychotherapist.

"The evaluator concluded [Thompson] demonstrated a history of interpersonal and sexual behavior problems that are not resolved and require professional attention and recommended [he] undergo long-term therapy," said a board document dated July 2005.

The board allowed Thompson to practice until he was charged in the May rape. He has not been prosecuted for the incidents that led to the board discipline.