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3 file claims against estate of chiropractor

Kelly Courtney was arrested in 2004 on counts of sexual battery and lewd or lascivious battery. He killed himself a year ago.

By COLLEEN JENKINS
Published December 13, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Before chiropractor Kelly P. Courtney killed himself last year, authorities accused him of inappropriately touching three female patients at his Spring Hill office.

Those women now want Courtney's estate to pay for his actions.

Late last month, one patient filed suit in Pasco County court seeking more than $15,000 for medical negligence. The other two women have made claims totaling more than $2-million against Courtney's estate, court records show. Lawsuits would be the next step for them.

Mary Courtney, who is the trustee of her husband's estate, has objected through court filings to all three women's claims for money. She did not return a reporter's call Monday.

According to the lawsuit, one patient visited Courtney's Cornerstone Chiropractic Center about 18 times seeking treatment for pain and stiffness in her back, neck and head. Courtney prescribed tailbone manipulation.

The treatment, the suit stated, included Courtney sticking his fingers inside her vagina and using a vibrator on her genitals.

She was 16. A 13-year-old and an adult female also complained of similar sexual touching during their treatment.

The suit said Courtney, who was 44 when he died, frequently diagnosed injuries involving the tailbone on young female patients and then used different treatments on them than he would for men and older female patients.

No female attendants were present during such treatment, according to the suit. It also names now-defunct Cornerstone Chiropractic as a defendant.

Courtney, who lived in Hudson, was arrested by Hernando County authorities in October 2004 on multiple counts of sexual battery and lewd or lascivious battery. The state suspended his chiropractic license.

In addition to his chiropractic practice, Courtney was known for his portrayal of Jesus during the Calvary Chapel Worship Center's Easter production in New Port Richey.

His body was found Dec. 3, 2004, the victim of suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.

[Last modified December 13, 2005, 01:30:24]