Cross examination of Jeffrey Sloka begins with questions about skin exams | CBC News

The Crown began their cross examination on Tuesday in the sexual assault trial of Jeffrey Sloka. They began with questions relating to skin exams. 

This comes after the defence wrapped up their review yesterday of each individual claimant, all of whom were former patients of Sloka, an ex-Kitchener neurologist . 

Sloka is facing 50 counts of sexual assault in connection to incidents dating back to 2010. The alleged victims, who were patients seeking treatment, ranged in age from their teens to their 50s.

Sloka allegedly asked patients to undress so he could perform a physical or skin examination. It’s also alleged he inappropriately touched their skin and genitals. Sloka has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The Crown prosecutor, Sidney McLean, began by walking through the diagnostic criteria for a condition called neurofibromatosis, or “NF,” as they referred to it in the Waterloo Region Courthouse, which is a genetic disorder causing seizures.

Through a line of questioning, the Crown asked Sloka whether skin exams alone were enough to diagnose “NF,” or whether imaging and genetic testing would be required. 

There are eight diagnostic criteria in total for the condition, including things like a tumor that can cause vision loss and the presence of café au lait-like spots on the skin — which would require a skin exam.

There was back and forth between the Crown and Sloka about whether a skin exam was an adequate way, based on probability, to rule out this disorder, and the importance of imaging and genetic testing in diagnosing the condition based on his training and understanding.  

Sloka agreed that he couldn’t rule out “NF” by a skin exam, but said that if there were no skin findings, he understood that the probability of finding other criteria that would lead to a diagnosis was diminished.

However, when asked about the probability of some of the other symptoms within the criteria leading to “NF,” Sloka couldn’t say.

The Crown concluded Tuesday with a number of others questions relating to things like a standard neurological examination, and what the patient was wearing for both this exam or a skin exam.

Sloka had a primary practice at Grand River Hospital but also had privileges at Guelph General Hospital and St Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener.  

He was put under restrictions in September 2017 due to the accusations of patients for which he now stands trial.  

He was stripped of his medical licence in May 2019. He was arrested four months later in September 2019.  

Police announced multiple sets of charges against Sloka and by June 17, 2021, he faced 76 allegations in connection with separate alleged sexual assaults against women in Waterloo region.  

However, since then, 26 charges were withdrawn at the request of the Crown.  

The cross examination of Sloka continues tomorrow.

Read more about this trial and events leading up to it through CBC’s coverage here: