Closing arguments wrap up in case of former neurologist accused of sexually assaulting patients

Closing submissions have finished at a trial for a former neurologist accused of sexually assault patients. CTV’s Krista Simpson reports.

A warning: this story contains details of allegations of sexual assault that some may find upsetting.

The fate of a former neurologist, charged with 48 counts of sexual assault, is now in the hands of a judge.

A week of closing arguments in the case of Dr. Jeffrey Sloka, who also goes by Scott Sloka, finished Friday morning.

Sloka was facing 50 counts of sexual assault, but two charges were dismissed.

Justice Craig Parry did not say when he might be ready to give his judgment.

A check in date was set for Feb. 27, 2026. Parry told the court that at that point “hopefully I have some good news to the timeline.”

Sloka is accused of touching the breasts, vaginas and other intimate areas of female patients during appointments at his private neurology practice in Kitchener, Ont. He’s also accused of improperly draping some patients or examining them while they were naked.

The alleged incidents happened between 2010 and 2017.

His trial began in September 2021.

The evidence portion spanned more than two years, with Sloka himself taking the stand in his own defence for several weeks.

The Crown and defence then provided hundreds of pages of written submissions, which Justice Parry has reviewed. A week was set aside for oral submissions, with arguments focusing on specific areas the judge flagged.

Closing submissions ended with Crown prosecutor Julia Forward responding to arguments made by Sloka’s legal team.

Sloka’s lawyers have argued that there were medical reasons for the examinations he performed, saying physical examinations are part of what doctors do.

They also said some of Sloka’s conduct was because he had a broad medical interest that went beyond his specialty of neurology. Forward argued that explanation relies heavily on the testimony of Dr. Sloka, who the Crown said is not a credible witness.

The Crown’s position is that Sloka touched the women for a sexual purpose.

“When Dr. Sloka operates outside of neurology, he is doing that to gain access to the complainants, who are all women, and their bodies,” Forward told court.

The Crown also said Parry can find Sloka guilty if he believes that the women’s sexual integrity was violated by what happened.

“It’s the Crown’s position it’s not Dr. Sloka who gets to decide how these patients are touched. The whole point of the law is to protect sexual autonomy and sexual integrity,” Forward said.

After the arguments concluded, Parry thanked both sides for their work, saying, “I appreciate the subject matter is very stressful for many people in this case.”