Former psychiatrist sentenced to jail for having sex with client

A report from Fergus Fall, Minnesotta

A former psychiatrist from Pelican Rapids has been sentenced to one year in the Otter Tail County jail for having sex with a woman he was counseling.

Fifty-five-year-old Edwin Lee Johnson was earlier convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Authorities say Johnson had sexual contact with the patient numerous times between April 2003 and June 2004 while conducting psychotherapy sessions at his office in Fargo, North Dakota, and his home in Pelican Rapids.

Court records show Johnson was contacted by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and agreed to stop practicing medicine in March of last year.

Earlier this year, the North Dakota Board of Medical Examiners permanently suspended Johnson's license.