Through tearful testimony on Friday, a woman told a Bloomfield Township Court judge that metro Detroit Dr. Zvi Levran sexually assaulted her during a medical appointment in 2022.
Levran, a urologist, faces more than 30 charges of criminal sexual conduct from 12 victims across two courts, largely stemming from his affiliations with youth hockey teams across the state for more than two decades. Reports from former patients range from digital penetration, forced oral sex and groping by the doctor.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald | Prosecutor’s office photo
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, whose office is handling the criminal cases, said during a November 2022 news conference that due to the volume of tips coming in and duration of Levran’s involvement with youth hockey teams, her office expects more victims to come forward throughout the investigation.
On Friday, the witness, a 27-year-old woman, said she was referred to Levran because she was experiencing painful symptoms after a laparoscopic surgery to remove scar tissue from her endometriosis. Her symptoms included discomfort when urinating.
Victims in the cases in the Bloomfield Township court and Farmington Hills court are remaining anonymous by order of the judges presiding in each location. Witness testimony has concluded in the preliminary examination in Farmington Hills and additional testimony is scheduled for the case in the Bloomfield Township court.
A series of health issues cause her a lot of pain on a daily basis, the witness said Friday, and she sees several doctors for various issues frequently. But after seeing Levran in his office in West Bloomfield in July 2022, she said she regularly cancels medical appointments, fearing a doctor will hurt her again
“I just keep thinking about that day and it haunts me every day,” the woman said through tears. “I feel just dirty and unclean and that there’s something wrong with me.”
The woman said post-surgery, she was advised by her surgeon a few weeks prior to seeing Levran that she was not supposed to insert anything into her vagina. The witness noted that the laparoscopic surgery was performed through incisions in her abdomen, but she was still advised against vaginal penetration.
Levran insisted on a catheter to collect a urine sample at the appointment, the woman said, despite her repeatedly telling him it would cause her a great deal of pain. She said she had never had to use a catheter outside of a surgical setting before, but she eventually consented.
The witness said afterwards when Levran went to examine her, without consent or warning, he inserted his fingers into her vagina then anus, briefly, with a nurse in the room.
“I’m supposed to trust medical professionals,” the witness said. “I couldn’t believe what was happening.”
She couldn’t recall if Levran was wearing gloves or not.
He is facing two charges of first degree criminal sexual conduct from the reported incident.
Nearly all of the witnesses who knew Levran through his involvement with boys youth hockey teams said they trusted Levran as a medical professional or as a trusted adult they could talk to.
48th District Court in Bloomfield Township, April 28, 2023 | Anna Liz Nichols
Several said they trusted that what Levran was doing was going to help. Some said they froze. A few said they didn’t realize at the time they had been sexually assaulted, but later realized it after conversations with loved ones or seeing news reports starting in October 2022 about the investigation into Levran.
Levran has been involved in metro Detroit youth hockey since the early 2000s through coaching and providing medical care to athletes. He has been involved with the Farmington United Hockey Team, Novi High School and St. Mary’s Preparatory High School in West Bloomfield Township, among other schools.
Levran would lead open skates for kids and alumni hockey players, former athletes testified earlier in April during the preliminary exam in the Farmington Hills court. Levran also taught power yoga to athletes across Michigan. He was described as eccentric by witnesses, and nicknamed “Doc” by former hockey players.
Reports of abuse started coming into the Farmington Hills Police Department after a 19-year-old told officers in October 2022 Levran had assaulted him when he came to the doctor’s home office seeking treatment for an aggravated injury. Levran used his home in Farmington Hills as a home office.
The 19-year-old testified earlier in April that Levran sexually assaulted him under the guise of a “relaxation massage” to help with his injury.
The Farmington Hills Police Department has received over 40 tips in its investigation into Levran, according to Chief Jeff King. Levran has held medical licenses in several states and tips have come from all over Michigan as well as Arizona, North Carolina, Minnesota, California, Georgia, California and Canada.
Levran’s medical license in Michigan was temporarily suspended by the state licensing department at the start of 2023 and he is currently being held in the Oakland County Jail. His Ohio medical license is listed as permanently revoked citing the Michigan revocation.
At the time of this story’s publication Levran is licensed to practice medicine in Minnesota and Iowa. He was also licensed in Georgia until his license expired in 2020, according to state records.
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authored by Anna Liz Nichols
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