Carmichael doctor’s sex-crimes sentencing delayed again
For the third time since he was convicted of sexually exploiting two of his patients, former Kaiser plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Takasugi was able to dodge a prison cell Friday, but his time is running out fast.
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steve White issued a no-bail warrant when Takasugi failed to show up for his sentencing after the defendant's father died the night before. White stayed the issuance of the warrant, however, until 9 a.m. Monday, when it looks like the one-time doctor from Carmichael will get his expected term of three years and eight months.
"I do believe he will show up and that it will happen on Monday," Deputy District Attorney Keith Hill said outside the courtroom Friday.
Takasugi, 56, who was arrested in June 2006, pleaded no contest June 5 to two counts of sexually exploiting patients. He had been charged in a 21-count complaint that included seven charges that he sexually penetrated his unconscious victims and that he raped two more.
He initially had been scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 9, but that was continued to Oct. 23, which in turn was set to Friday, a little more than 12 hours after the former physician's 87-year-old father died due to what his lawyer described as multiple organ failure. Defense attorney Ted W. Cassman asked the judge for a week's continuance, which the prosecutor vigorously opposed.
Hill said in court, "I don't want to look harsh," but he added that Takasugi had acted as if he were "above the law" and that the delays are keeping the victims from moving on with their lives.
"Not only did the crime take an emotional toll on them, but with each court appearance, and the preparation for each court appearance, it causes another significant impact," Hill said. "I just feel for the victims and feel they deserve some closure."
Two of the women appeared in court with friends and family Friday, and the father of one of them said, "It just seems the wheels of justice turn very slowly."
"It's been three and a half years since he was turned in," said the man, whose name is being withheld because it would serve to identify his daughter. "It's taken a toll on the victims and their families."