Oct. 31 trial is set for man accused of abuse at Leavenworth VA hospital

An Oct. 31 trial has been set in Leavenworth County District Court for a former physician’s assistant accused of sexually abusing patients at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Leavenworth.

Mark Wisner is charged with a felony count of aggravated criminal sodomy and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery related to his alleged misconduct in 2014 at the Eisenhower VA Medical Center.

Wisner surrendered his medical license last year after at least seven patients accused him of abusing them. He faces several federal lawsuits accusing him of abuse.

Wisner is seeking to have the civil proceedings halted until the criminal case is resolved.

A veteran filed a lawsuit against Wisner — the seventh such case filed against him this year — on May 23, alleging sexual misconduct. A veteran who suffered a disabling back injury while serving in Iraq filed the latest suit in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan.

Like other men who have filed suit, he said Wisner subjected him to unnecessary genital and prostate examinations. Wisner allegedly required the examinations for patients to have prescriptions refilled, according to the suit.

The lawsuit accuses the U.S. government of failing to adequately supervise Wisner and of being vicariously responsible for his alleged actions.

Previously filed suits make similar allegations.

After officials began an investigation into allegations involving Wisner, he resigned. Early last year, he surrendered his license to state medical officials.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Oct. 31 trial is set for man accused of abuse at Leavenworth VA hospital."