LA CROSSE, Wis. — A La Crosse physician accused of sexual liberties with a 10-year-old girl changed his plea to guilty. Joseph Poterucha, 41, a pediatric cardiologist, had been accused of separate incidents with three girls but pleaded guilty to reduced charges in plea deal. Judge Todd Bjerke acepted the deal, which hd been negotiated with prosecutors. The judge set ,and set sentencing for July on amended charges on second-degree and fourth-degree sexual assault. The case began w in October 2021 after the 10-year-old girl old her mother that that Poterucha had touched her under her clothes. At the time Poterucha worked at Mayo Clinic in La Crosse. although the complaint was in a separate practice. Mayo fired Poterucha. In November 2021 he surrendered his medical license in Wisconsin and in January 2022 his Minnesota license.
Earlier: Now doctor facing three molestation charges
Earlier: Doctor denies sexual misconduct with minors