Nurse Practitioner Accused Of Sexual Assault

WHITE BLUFF, Tenn. -- Police said a nurse practitioner in Dickson County is accused of sexually assaulting women in his own office.

Video: Healthcare Provider Accused Of Abusing Women

White Bluff health care provider Edwin Simon is accused of inappropriately touching two female co-workers who used to be on his staff.

"These allegations were in sexual nature of touching in private places, and they were deemed by us serious," said Detective Mike Holman of the White Bluff Police Department.

The women who were allegedly violated are a 17-year-old girl who worked part time in the front office, and an adult who worked as a nurse's aide.

Police opened their investigation in December when the young woman first came forward. In January, the other woman's allegations surfaced.

Police said the inappropriate contact with the older woman happened two years ago.

"After interviewing both of the victims, I found the victims seemed to be very credible, and their stories seemed to be very consistent," said Holman.

State officials said Simon is allowed to prescribe medication.

"It's not like it's somebody jumping out of the bushes while walking down a dirt road. This is someone that you not only -- somebody you work for, in this case, but a health care provider that provides for the health and well-being of the public," said Holman.

Police want to make it clear that Simon has only been charged and hasn't been convicted. For that reason, his license to practice cannot be taken away.

Simon's attorney, Doak Patton, said that his client is shocked over the accusations and maintains his innocence.

"Mr. Simon is shocked over these isolated accusations and has vehemently maintained his innocence from the very first day. We eagerly await the opportunity to present our side of this story and confront these alleged victims under oath in a court of law. We have been actively conducting an investigation and look forward to presenting our findings and vindicating Mr. Simon," Patton said in a statement.

From the information that Channel 4 gathered for this story, it does not appear that Simon has been in trouble with the state before.