The two women, who did not know each other, told police separately that they met with Borzin Mottaghian, 34, at an office in Provo after answering the online ad for paid medical research, said Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon. His office is investigating the case because of an unspecified conflict with the Provo Police Department.
The allegations stemming from incidents on Oct. 18 and 20 were “virtually identical,” Cannon said. “We believe it’s very likely that there may be more victims.”
In his meeting with the woman on Oct. 20, the first to be reported to police, Mottaghian said he was taking measurements of women to use in product development of a new catheter, according to police, and had the woman sign paperwork including a “nondisclosure agreement” before proceeding with a physical exam, according to an affidavit filed in 4th District Court.
Mottaghian does not have any licensing that would allow for such an examination, according to the Division of Occupational Licensing.
During the exam, the woman told police, Mottaghian had her undress from the waist down and took photos of her, possibly with a cellphone. The woman reported that he used his hands and what appeared to be stainless steel instruments to examine and measure her.
The woman told police she never told Mottaghian to stop the purported exam, but told him “that she was uncomfortable and it was feeling very sexual in nature,” the affidavit states. Mottaghian allegedly replied that it seemed that way because the examination included sexual organs.
Following the exam, investigators said the woman contacted police and went to a hospital for a sexual assault examination. The woman told a nurse “she went for a research study and by the time it was over she felt the suspect had violated her sexually” because of the things that were done, according to the affidavit.
A medical professional who consulted with investigators said the testing and measuring Mottaghian is accused of doing would not be necessary for any kind of catheter, the affidavit states.