Tourist: I was molested in hospital

A woman filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit against South Shore Hospital on Friday, saying she was molested by an emergency medical technician while in the medical center's care.

Julio Tandron was charged last week with sexual battery against the woman while she was semiconscious in the emergency room.

Tandron has confessed, according to the Miami Beach Police report.

Gloria Flores told police Tandron fondled her and otherwise sexually assaulted her while she was incapacitated in the hospital's emergency room on July 10. She asked to be identified for this report and to have her photo taken.

''It's hard to go public with something so private, but this has to stop,'' Flores said.

Tandron was arrested July 22 and ''admitted to all of the above [actions],'' the police report indicated.

Reached at his home Friday, Tandron, 26, had no comment.

''I would like to say my side of the story, but I was instructed not to speak on the matter by my lawyer,'' he said.

The hospital had no comment on the arrest and the lawsuit, said spokesman Gerald Schwartz.

The hospital also would not comment on how long Tandron had been employed there, the extent of his responsibilities or whether he has been suspended.

Flores, 32, was on vacation in Miami Beach with a friend when the assault took place, she said.

They were dining at the South Beach restaurant Tantra when Flores passed out in the bathroom.

Her friend called for paramedics.

Although she had consumed several drinks at dinner, Flores said she was not intoxicated and suspects she may have been drugged.

She was taken to the South Shore Hospital emergency room in a semiconscious state, placed in a curtained treatment area, and her clothes were removed by men she said she was too groggy to identify.

''I could hear them making comments on my breasts,'' Flores said. 'He said, `I could do that, I could have some of that.' ''

Flores said she could feel hands fondling her. ''I wanted to say stop, but I couldn't,'' she said. ``I just couldn't react.''

Several hours later, Flores was discharged from the hospital and she returned to San Diego that same day. She called to report the assault from there, she said.

The lawsuit filed Friday seeks $10 million for bodily injury and pain and suffering, according to her lawyer, Spencer Aronfeld. Tandron and the hospital are named in the lawsuit.

''This is an absolutely inexcusable act of violence against this young lady, and these individuals will pay both criminally and civilly,'' Aronfeld said.