WATCH: A Victoria chiropractor with previous convictions for sexual assault is under suspension. It follows a complaint filed with the College of Chiropractors. Dr. Micheal Buna suspension began Jan. 8. Mary Griffin reports.
A Victoria chiropractor who was convicted of multiple sexual assault charges over a decade ago has been suspended from his practice during an investigation of another complaint.
Based on information from the latest allegation that has not been made public, the College of Chiropractors of B.C. (CCBC) says “there was a real risk to the public” if it did not order a suspension to Dr. Michael Buna.
The suspension of Buna’s registration is pending the completion of an investigation or a hearing into the complaint, which remains unproven.
Chiropractor Michael Buna has been suspended by the College of Chiropractors of B.C. pending an investigation of a complaint against the Victoria-based doctor. Buna has a history of sexually assaulting patients and was allowed to return to work after being convicted of sexual assault in December 2007. Photo courtesy Youtube.
The CCBC sited a section of the Health Professions Act to take “extraordinary action” to protect the public.
The suspension was handed down Jan. 8.
Buna was given a nine-month conditional sentence in 2007 after being convicted of five counts of sexual assault which he served in the community.
Two of those convictions were later thrown out and Buna continued to practice but had to have a chaperone attend all sessions with female patients.
At the time of his conviction, B.C. Supreme Court Judge Anthony Parker said Buna had no previous criminal record and was a low risk to re-offend.
Parker also ruled Buna’s name did not have to be added to the national sex-offender registry.
Buna faced 10 counts of sexual assault for incidents that spanned a 12-year period at several locations, with the last of those allegations in 2002.
The first of those charges came in November 2005 and nine new counts of sexual assault came three months later after Victoria police received several complaints when a confidential phone line was established.
Buna has been a practicing chiropractor since 1984 and currently runs a clinic in the 3500-block of Quadra Street with his wife Joan, who is a certified pilates instructor.
With files from the Times Colonist and CBC.
Andy Neal
