A Call for Witnesses: Survivors of Alleged Serial Rapist Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng of New York City currently faces 61 counts relating to the sexual assault of six women, some of whom were his patients. A district attorney involved in the case has said that evidence supports the belief that Dr. Cheng is “a sexual predator” and “serial rapist.” Accusations against Dr. Cheng include that he drugged his victims, raped them and filmed the assaults.

This article provides further details about Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, the charges against him and how PCVA can help those who may have been victims of this alleged sexual predator.

Who is Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng?

Dr. Cheng is a gastroenterologist based in New York City. As of August 2023, he was 33 years old. Before being terminated from his position, he worked at New York Presbyterian Queens.

Cheng obtained his medical license in June 2020 after completing his residency at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. He received his medical degree from Albany Medical College. Currently, Cheng’s medical license is suspended by the state.

What are the charges against Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng?

Dr. Cheng faces two sets of charges arising from two separate indictments. Following his initial arrest in December 2022, in which he drugged and raped a female acquaintance at his home in Queens, Cheng was charged on 11 counts that included two counts of rape in the first degree, criminal sexual assault in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and four counts of unlawful surveillance in the second degree.

More recently, Cheng was indicted on 50 additional counts, including 10 counts of predatory sexual assault, three of rape in the first degree, seven of sexual abuse in the first degree, four of assault in the second degree, three of criminal sexual act in the first degree, 11 of unlawful surveillance in the second degree, eight of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree and four of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

What are the details of the allegations against Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng?

Alleged victims of Dr. Cheng include a former girlfriend as well as patients and women Cheng met through dating apps. He is accused of using a chemical substance to knock his victims unconscious and video recording the assaults. So far there are six victims in total whose ages range from 19 to 47, but we believe there may be others who have yet to come forward. According to prosecutors, who reviewed video recordings confiscated from Cheng’s home, at least five additional women may have been assaulted.

Not all of the assaults occurred in Queens, according to prosecutors. Some occurred in Manhattan and Westchester County, as well as Las Vegas, San Francisco and Thailand. In addition to finding the videos of the assaults, authorities also found illicit substances, such as fentanyl, ketamine and LSD.

I feel like I was violated by Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, but does it merit filing a lawsuit?

Even if there is no outward injury to the body, sexual abuse can have serious psychological effects.

The effects of sexual violence can include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Flashbacks
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dissociation
• Panic attacks
• Substance abuse
• Disordered sleep
• Sexual dysfunction

These are serious issues that can harm a person’s ability to work, study, maintain relationships and enjoy their lives the way they used to. Treatment for sexual abuse-related damage can take a long time and become very expensive.

Who is responsible for Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng’s sexual abuse?

In New York, a doctor’s employer has a responsibility to ensure that patients and students are safe when seeking treatment and using its facilities. The employer should be held responsible if its employee commits crimes that harm patients and the employer either knew or should have known that the employee posed a danger.

While it is too early to tell what Cheng’s employer may or may not have known, it merits an investigation to determine whether the hospital was negligent in its actions.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in New York if I was sexually assaulted or abused?

The New York Adult Survivors Act gives certain deadlines for survivors of sexual abuse to file lawsuits regarding abuse they suffered as an adult. The deadlines fall into two categories.

Survivors have until they reach the age of 55 to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator and an institution if:

• The abuse occurred after 2018, or
• They were under the age of 21 as of February 14, 2018

Other survivors had until November 23 to file under the Adult Survivors Act. There is legislative discussion about possibly reopening the window in the future or future statutory reform. We are happy to speak to you about your options and rights.

Can I come forward or sue anonymously if I’m worried about my privacy?

Most likely. The law usually allows attorneys to file lawsuits on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse using a pseudonym, like “John Doe” or “Jane Doe,” or our client’s initials. Moreover, it may be possible to resolve your case privately without filing a lawsuit or going to court.

How can survivors receive damages for sexual abuse?

Our attorneys have been involved in some of the most complicated and concerning sexual abuse cases in the country and are often consulted by other law firms for guidance and expertise when representing sexual abuse survivors. We take a trauma-informed approach to our representation that acknowledges the sensitive nature of these cases.

Every case is different and results – which depend on the facts of the case – cannot be guaranteed. However, we will fight to hold accountable the institutions and individuals who failed to protect survivors. Through our efforts, we have helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars in damages on behalf of abuse survivors. While no amount of monetary compensation can erase the trauma of abuse, the financial assistance can help pay for necessary expenses to allow the healing process to begin.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse or assault at the hands of Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, our attorneys are here to listen and help. Learn more about how we help sexual abuse survivors or schedule a no obligation consultation with one of our lawyers by completing our online form or by calling us at  (206) 536-2850. 

How much do you charge?

Our work is done on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay us on an hourly basis, and we advance the costs of litigation. If we help you resolve your case, we receive a percentage of the amount you receive, and you reimburse us for the costs we advanced on your behalf.

Our Case Results

PCVA has a lengthy history of pursuing damages from healthcare institutions that employed healthcare professionals who abused their positions of authority to sexually assault patients. Most recently, we are pursuing dozens of claims against notorious sexual predator and former New York City urologist Dr. Darius Paduch. You can learn more about this case and its most recent developments here.

Some additional results we have achieved for our clients are listed below.

Confidential Settlements Reached in Pediatric Endocrinologist Sexual Abuse Case Against Rockefeller University Hospital
$8M Settlement Reached in Foss Home and Village Sex Abuse Lawsuit
$7.5M Settlement Reached in Coach Sexual Abuse Case Against Black Hills Football Club
$4.9M Settlement Reached in Toutle River Boys Ranch Sex Abuse Lawsuit
$4.2M Settlement Reached in Coach Sexual Abuse Case Against University Place School District
$1.4M Settlement Reached in Washington Department of Social and Health Services Foster Services Sex Abuse Lawsuit