Harassment allegations filed against local doctor after accuser charged with fraud

Sexual harassment allegations against a local doctor were brought about after a criminal investigation against the accuser had begun, according to court records.

In a Southeast Missourian story Thursday, Melissa James' attorney, Michael I. Lawrence Sr., claimed Dr. Paul Clarke is pursuing restitution of more than $47,800 in retaliation for his client filing sexual harassment complaints.

James filed a letter with the state Board of Healing Arts alleging sexual misconduct on the part of Clarke, her former employer. According to court documents, the letter was received by the board Sept. 16, nearly a month after Clarke first reported to the Cape Girardeau Police Department on Aug. 18 that James had been fraudulently obtaining prescription medication. A probable cause statement in the case was dated Sept. 2.

On Sept. 6, Clarke again spoke to police, reporting that James had written several checks to herself from his business without his permission, and a probable cause statement in the case was dated Oct. 4.

James, 32, of Scott City was charged with the crimes Oct. 6 and later pleaded guilty to three counts of felony forgery and guilty to two counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance. She received five years' probation for both crimes.

In a plea agreement, James admitted to writing $1,583.43 in checks to herself without permission from Clarke, who alleges $47,800 was taken from him by James.

During a restitution hearing Wednesday, Clarke testified he discovered the forgeries in early August, and James quit after being caught.