A Brigham and Women's doctor has been charged with sexually assaulting a coworker.

WBZ reports that Boston police charged Raymond Malapero III with sexual assault after he allegedly grabbed a staffer's buttocks outside of an operating room inside the hospital.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender.

The television station aired a story about the cardiothoracic anesthesiologist last month and Malapero stayed on staff in the fellowship program. After the criminal charges were lodged he was placed on leave, WBZ reports.

In December the staffer sought a protection order against the doctor telling a judge she felt "extremely unsafe," the television station reports. A judge granted the order and told Malapero to stay away from the woman and limit his access to two operating rooms at the hospital.

Trish Powers, a member of the Nurses Union, told WBZ that at least five women complained to her about Malapero's inappropriate behavior. Three of those women reported what happened to Human Resources.

"Why the administration has allowed this is baffling," Powers told the television station. "Who's' protecting him that's the question."