State chiropractic officials consider changes after hearing from rape victim's father

The Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners is considering changes to how it reviews sexual misconduct by chiropractors after one of their own was convicted of raping a client.

The move came during a meeting Tuesday morning between the organization's executive committee and the father of a woman who was raped by former chiropractor Paul D. Thompson.

The woman's father began pressing the board and state Sen. John Marty for change when he learned earlier this year that Thompson had a history of sexual misconduct with "several" female clients and a female employee — known to the board as early as 1990.

Asked Tuesday by the board's executive director, Dr. Larry Spicer, what he hoped to accomplish, the woman's father said, "Trying to get the board fixed so we don't have this happen again."

The man is not being named in order to protect his daughter's identity.

Thompson had previously been accused of hugging clients and kissing an employee, according to the board. He was placed on probation by the board in 1991 and 2005, and practiced until he was charged in May in Ramsey County with raping the man's daughter.

The board revoked Thompson's license in June. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison.

The woman's father first read a statement from the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA).

"We remain concerned about the board's handling of the Thompson matter," said MNCASA. "While we appreciate the goals of rehabilitation, at the same time, we believe that certain behaviors cannot be tolerated in the medical profession — violation of sexual privacy and sexual assault are among them."

MNCASA offered to provide training to the board and urged it to take stronger actions in the future.

"Sexual assault and other nonconsensual sexual behavior are among the highest violations of trust and ethics by a professional, and thus should result in termination of licensure as well as criminal consequences when appropriate," MNCASA said.

The woman's father then told the committee that there needed to be more oversight and random inspections of those on probation to ensure that they're following the terms of their probation.

He violated the condition, prompting the board to suspend his license for a year, only to lift the suspension after 14 days.

"Mr. Thompson … had his hand slapped," the woman's father said.

He also suggested that the board prominently display in each chiropractor's office information about disciplinary actions and related probationary terms. Providing that information on the board's website isn't sufficient, he said.

The committee approved a motion to propose to the full board an ad hoc committee that would specialize in allegations of sexual misconduct.

The committee also said they would consider the father's other suggestions, including reading victim impact statements at annual trainings required for all chiropractors.

In September, Marty, DFL-Roseville, wrote the board calling for Spicer's resignation for what he said was Spicer's insensitivity to the Thompson case. The board met in private to discuss the matter and is expected to issue a decision later this month.

The woman's father said that he felt that the committee took his suggestions seriously.

"I think it's important to fix this broken system," he said.

Chao Xiong • 612-270-4708