The alleged victim of a doctor–who was charged with providing prescription drugs in exchange for sexual favors from a minor–has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor, claiming she was just 17 when he engaged her in an inappropriate relationship.
Erika Lord claims that Dr. Robert Hughes began the relationship in October 2007, eventually involving sexual acts on three separate occasions at Hughes’ home in Wilmette, according to the suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.
Hughes, now 57, was charged in March 2008 with sexual assault, manufacturing child pornography, possession of cannabis and endangering the life and health of a child, court records show. He lived in the 700 block of Ridge Road in Wilmette at the time.
The following month, Hughes accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, and distribution of a controlled substance. He was forced to register as a child sex offender
Hughes’ medical license was suspended in March 2008 due to the charges. In August 2011, his license was revoked as a result of a new law that bars registered sex offenders and people convicted of violent felonies from working in medicine.
The new lawsuit accuses Hughes of battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Lord sent an email to Hughes in January 2008 saying, “she felt ‘uncomfortable’ and ‘anxious’ when he made sexual advances that involved kissing and touching,” the suit said.
Hughes continued the sexual advances and touching, including an incident where he made Lord watch him receive oral sex in order to obtain drugs, the suit claims.
Huges supplied samples of Effexor, Lamica, birth control pills and prescriptions for Xanax to Lord. He also told her, “he could get her any drug she wanted through a prescription as long as she did what he wanted sexually,” according to the suit.
In February and March of 2006, Advocate Medical Group received at least two reports of inappropriate sexual conduct committed by Hughes, including a complaint by another patient, the suit states.
The suit also charges Advocate Medical Group with negligent supervision and retention.
An Advocate spokesman said the medical group was not aware of the lawsuit.
The three-count suit seeks more than $50,000 in damages.
