Utah County OB/GYN accused of sexual assault appears in court

PROVO — A A Utah County doctor accused of sexually abusing a patient was back in court Monday.

Dr. David Broadbent, an OB-GYN, was present at a preliminary hearing on Monday in connection with an incident in July 2020. He is charged with one count of sexual abuse, a second-degree felony. Broadbent gave up his license to practice medicine in 2022.

Utah County prosecutors allege Broadbent touched the victim's breasts during a vaginal exam. During Monday's hearing, the Provo police officer in charge of the case took the stand. But before prosecutors could put their arguments into action, the defense veered the hearing off course with cross-examination. Defense attorney Cara Tangaro tried to question the victim's credibility.

“The point of this introduction is that she doesn't even mention the breast exam during these voicemails, and I think that serves her credibility,” Tangaro said. “Their testimony changes over time and becomes more detailed.”

In a separate case against Broadbent, more than 200 women have joined the revived lawsuit accusing him of sexually abusing his patients.

KSL TV spoke to Brooke Heath, who says she was attacked by Broadbent in 2009.

Heath said Monday's hearing was an important step toward justice for many of Broadbent's alleged victims. They want him in prison.

“Even though it is a single case of abuse and a criminal charge, it is significant because it represents all of us women,” Heath said. “All 213 of us and the numerous cases of abuse we have suffered at the hands of Dr. Broadbent had.”

Heath says the plaintiffs want to move their civil lawsuit to Salt Lake County. However, the criminal case will take place in Provo.

KSL TV also found out on Monday that several other women have met with detectives and some of their cases have been referred to the Utah County Prosecutor's Office.

Because the hearing took longer than expected, no decision was made and the court continued the hearing until November 26 at 3 p.m