Woman announces plans to sue Delray-area pain doctor, claiming he sexually assaulted her
The woman alleges the attack happened while she received treatment for back pain from his Delray Beach-area practice during 2020.
WEST PALM BEACH — Suffering chronic pain after undergoing seven back surgeries, Jodi Mottola said she was initially willing to overlook strange questions posed by a Delray Beach-area pain management doctor.
Focused solely on feeling better, the 59-year-old Boynton Beach area woman said she assured herself that there must be some legitimate reason Dr. Jack Miletic was so curious about her sex life.
But, she said, when he, during a follow up visit, grabbed her breasts and later exposed himself to her, she realized she had to act.
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On Monday, she announced she was suing the 50-year-old Miletic in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
“He promised he would help me,” said Mottola, who was flanked by her husband and her attorneys. “He was going to make me better.”
Instead, she and attorney Spencer Kuvin said, Miletic sexually assaulted her while treating her in 2020.
Miletic's lawyer didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Kuvin, who has sued well-known men accused of sexual assault, including infamous Palm Beach predator Jeffrey Epstein and comedian Bill Cosby, said the civil suit is a way to gather information that could be used to file criminal charges against Miletic.
“Ms. Mottola wants Dr. Miletic put behind bars,” he said.
While the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, Kuvin said, like many sexual-assault cases, Mottola’s allegations are difficult to prove.
Because no one was in the examination room to see what happened, there is no way to verify Mottola’s claims. “It becomes a she-said, he-said,” Kuvin said.
Having filed suit, he said he will now be able to take sworn statements from people who may have information that will help deputies build a case against the doctor, he said.
Records show Miletic has been licensed to practice medicine in Florida since 2010. He is also licensed in California. No disciplinary action has been filed against him in either state, according to online records.
Kuvin said Mottola has filed a complaint against Miletic with the Florida Board of Medicine.
The lawsuit may also spur other women to come forward with similar allegations, he said.
Still emotionally distraught over the experience, Mottola said she filed suit to protect other women.
“I am pursuing this case against Dr. Miletic because he is a predator who needs to be held accountable,” she said. “He didn’t listen to me (when I said no). He hurt me. And, I don’t want him to hurt anyone ever again.”
jmusgrave@pbpost.com