The state has amended its licensing complaint against well-known chiropractor Brian D. Burns, alleging he had sexual relations with two additional female patients - one of them a minor.
The new allegations were contained in an amended complaint filed Tuesday by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, which is seeking to revoke Burns' license.Assistant attorney general Mark S. Kouris said the additional witnesses came forward after a similar charge surfaced in the original complaint filed against Burns on Oct. 4. Altogether, three female patients are accusing Burns of misconduct.
Identified as Jane Does 1, 2 and 3, the patients allege the chiropractor, who has clinics in Murray and West Valley City, engaged in sexual relations with them in the summer of 1984, from 1986 to 1987 and from 1990 to 1991, respectively. The age of the minor was not released.
According to the complaint, the allegations constitute "unprofessional conduct," which includes in its definition "gross immorality or conduct unbecoming a person licensed to practice chiropractic."
Burns is also accused of violating several other provisions of the licensing code, including operating a kickback scheme with a medical doctor, forging the signature of a doctor on more than 50 insurance claim forms and establishing a business partnership with an unlicensed chiropractor.
Most of the allegations cover a period from 1989 to 1991. The questioned partnership in the Burns Chiropractic Clinic was dissolved in 1990.
Each of the five counts in the amended complaint is punishable by suspension or revocation of the professional's license.
Burns, who is widely known through his extensive advertising, issued a statement last month denying all of the allegations and pledging full cooperation in the investigation. Though investigators declined his offer to take a polygraph test, he said he took one anyway and passed.
Kouris said the additional information provided by the two women will make the state's case stronger but won't affect the nature of the proceedings or increase the penalties. Burns has until Dec. 22 to submit a formal response to the amended complaint.
After that, the state will seek a licensing revocation hearing before the Chiropractor Licensing Board, Kouris said.