by David Bloomberg
As discussed in previous issues (Vol. 6, #8, #9, & #10), the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation filed a complaint against psychiatrist Bennett Braun, a leader in the repressed memory movement. The department also filed a complaint against a child psychiatrist colleague, Elva Poznanski.
| The complaint alleges that she did both these things "without any appropriate or reasonable psychological justification." |
On December 3, the department filed a third — and probably final — complaint relating to this case, this one against psychologist Roberta Sachs. Sachs evaluated Pat Burgus and worked with Braun on her case. According to the complaint, Sachs performed an outpatient evaluation of Burgus and determined that she should be admitted to the hospital’s Dissociative Disorders Program as soon as possible. Sachs also continued to treat Burgus and recommended her two sons be admitted as well. The complaint alleges that she did both these things "without any appropriate or reasonable psychological justification." Many of the charges contained in this complaint are virtual duplicates of those filed against Braun.
Because the charges and witnesses in all three complaints relate to the same case, lead prosecutor Thomas Glasgow had filed a motion to join the three cases, but the administrative law judge denied it. Because of his decision, the victims, including the emotionally scarred Burgus children, will have to testify three separate times (including at least twice during the school year). Experts will have to explain the problems with repressed memory therapy three separate times, and the department’s resources will be strained during the entire period. The decision seems even stranger considering the previous civil case filed by Burgus had been joined by a judge for the same reason Glasgow made his motion.
But, barring an unlikely appeal, the cases will go forward separately starting in the Spring. As always, look for further updates in these pages.
LATE-BREAKING NEWS: Glasglow has indicated the hearings may be delayed until summer because he doesn’t want to have to pull the Burgus children out of school.
