A sweeping federal class action lawsuit has been filed against MedStar Health and former rheumatologist James Curtis Roberson II, M.D., detailing years of alleged sexual misconduct, nonconsensual intimate contact, and a systemic failure by one of the region’s largest healthcare providers to protect its patients.
The complaint, filed on April 17, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, paints a harrowing picture of a physician who allegedly used his medical authority to groom and assault vulnerable patients, and an institution that reportedly ignored “red flags” for nearly a decade.
The lawsuit is led by LaShawn Basham, a resident of Waldorf, Maryland, who began seeking treatment from Dr. Roberson in 2021 for Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disorder.
According to the filing, Basham was subjected to repeated sexual misconduct during appointments that occurred as frequently as three times per month.
The complaint alleges that Roberson justified “full-body massages with lotion,” repeated breast exams without clinical indication, and intimate-area contact under the guise of medical necessity. In one instance, Roberson allegedly claimed to have found a fibroid near Basham’s ovaries—a diagnosis outside his specialty of rheumatology—to justify further invasive examinations.
The legal action seeks to represent a class estimated to exceed 500 former patients. It alleges that Roberson’s misconduct was not an isolated incident but a pattern of behavior spanning his tenure at MedStar Health Orthopedics locations in Brandywine, Maryland, and Lorton, Virginia.
A History of Warning Signs
Perhaps the most damaging aspect of the lawsuit is the allegation that MedStar Health was aware of Roberson’s behavior long before his license was revoked.
In 2018, the Maryland Board of Physicians issued an “Advisory Letter” to Roberson following a patient complaint regarding an inappropriate, unchaperoned breast exam. The lawsuit argues that this letter served as a formal warning that MedStar failed to act upon.
“Throughout Dr. Roberson’s tenure… there were warning signs and red flags—actual or constructive—indicative of immoral conduct,” the complaint states. “Defendant MedStar Health, Inc. knew or should have known through the enactment and/or following of reasonable policies and procedures, oversight, patient feedback mechanisms, and supervisory review.”
The plaintiffs argue that MedStar breached its duty of care by failing to implement strict chaperone policies, failing to audit Roberson’s examination practices, and allowing him continued unsupervised access to female patients.
The Board of Physicians Investigation
The legal filing follows a scathing investigation by the Maryland Board of Physicians, which summarily suspended Roberson’s license in October 2025 and permanently revoked it in February 2026.
The Board’s findings, which are cited extensively in the lawsuit, include testimony from multiple victims. One patient reported that Roberson had grazed her vagina with his bare hand and asked if he could “taste her.”
Another patient testified that Roberson digitally penetrated her during an exam in September 2024, allegedly telling her, “This is what you need.”
In an under-oath interview with the Board on July 30, 2025, Roberson reportedly admitted to “losing his way.” He confessed to having romantic and sexual relationships with at least four current patients, including sexual encounters that began in his medical office.
The lawsuit brings several counts against MedStar Health, including:
- Negligent Hiring and Supervision: Claiming the hospital failed to properly vet and monitor Roberson despite previous complaints.
- Premises Liability: Arguing the medical facilities were not a safe environment for patients.
- Vicarious Liability: Holding MedStar responsible for the actions of its employee performed under the “MedStar” brand.
- Fraudulent Concealment: Alleging that Roberson and MedStar represented the physician as a competent and trustworthy provider while withholding knowledge of prior misconduct.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for severe emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and loss of dignity. Beyond financial compensation, the class action seeks to hold the healthcare system accountable for what it describes as “prioritizing institutional reputation over patient and public safety.”
As of the filing date, the court has been asked to certify the class and appoint lead counsel to represent the hundreds of potentially affected women. MedStar Health has not yet filed its formal response to the federal complaint.
The case remains a reminder of patients’ vulnerability in specialized care and the high burden of responsibility placed on healthcare institutions to police their own ranks.
MedStar Health released the following statement to local DC news outlets:
Dr. Roberson’s inappropriate personal conduct violated the foundational trust placed in him by his patients, by MedStar Health, and by the laws and ethics of his profession. Our first priority has been and continues to be assuring the health and well-being of patients affected by his misconduct.
We’re grateful to those patients who came forward – we know it took a great deal of courage for them to do so. When we first learned of a patient’s concerns about Dr. Roberson’s behavior in early October 2024, we suspended him immediately.
We will never tolerate inappropriate behavior by our providers, and we will always act quickly to address any allegations of misconduct brought to our attention. We sincerely regret any pain Dr. Roberson’s actions may have caused our patients and their families.
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