Bail set for Jeffrey McAllister, former ER nurse accused of sexual abuse

Jeffrey McAllister and his defense attorney Daniel Woram appeared in Multnomah County Circuit Court in October.

(Faith Cathcart/The Oregonian)

A former Legacy Emanuel hospital employee who says she was sexually battered by former ER nurse Jeffrey McAllister in an office-supply closet is suing the North Portland hospital for at least $2 million.

The former employee, who filed suit Friday in Multnomah County Circuit Court, is the second woman to sue the hospital, saying it failed to protect her from McAllister. According to the suit, the 38-year-old had a years-long history of on-the-job sexually aggressive behavior against women, including inappropriate sexual comments, inappropriate gestures and invading personal space.

The suit says the hospital was aware of McAllister’s history, with reports of sexual abuse stretching back to 2006.

The former employee claims McAllister blocked her exit from the closet on Jan. 15, 2010, then molested her. The employee told her supervisor, who also was manager of the emergency room, but the supervisor “shunned and ignored” her, the suit states. McAllister was allowed to continue on in his role as ER nurse because the hospital “did not want to incur scandal,” the suit states.

McAllister was fired in April. He has been charged with sexually assaulting nine women. He has pleaded not guilty to various charges, and his trial is tentatively set for September.

Brian Terrett, a Legacy Health spokesman, offered the following statement:

"Legacy Health and Legacy Emanuel Medical Center absolutely condemns any inappropriate conduct by employees toward Legacy patients," Terrett said. "It will carefully review the allegations being made and conduct a thorough investigation. Legacy Emanuel Medical Center has been and will continue to provide the highest quality of medical care to all its patients."

The suit lists as defendants: Legacy Emanuel hospital and health center, Legacy Health and the supervisor. It was filed by Portland attorney Mark McDougal, of the firm Kafoury & McDougal.

The firm also is representing a 37-year-old homeless woman who says she went to the Legacy Emanuel's emergency room on Feb. 14, 2013, for help because she was suffering a miscarriage. McAllister injected her with morphine and molested her in a bathroom and later placed her hand on his penis, according to her suit.

That former patient filed a $2.5 million suit in August.

Attorneys plan to file more suits this week.

-- Aimee Green