07:31 AM PST on Friday, February 13, 2004

By ELISA HAHN / KING 5 News

KING Dr. Charles Momah

SEATTLE - Dozens of his patients claim he raped them, but seven months after the first allegation, Dr. Charles Momah still remains a free man.

Back in October 2003, the King County prosecutor’s office told KING 5 it may be "a few more weeks" before a decision is made on charges.

Now, in the middle February, dozens of lives, including Momah's, have still been placed on hold.

Since August, dozens of women, Momah’s own patients, have come forward accusing the doctor of rape and medical malpractice.

His two clinics have been shut down, but Momah remains a free man. KING 5 sought comment from Momah at his house in a new development in southeast Auburn.

“I can’t speak to you,” said Momah. “You have to speak to my lawyer. This is highly inappropriate.”

“I would like to see him out of here,” said one of Momah’s neighbor. “And I bet more than half the women in this neighborhood want him out.”

Seven months after police announced their investigation, Momah has not been arrested nor charged with any crime.

“I don't understand what is taking so long. I don’t think any of us do,” said Mikell Bannach, alleged malpractice victim. “It doesn't make any sense. If it were you or me, we would have been thrown in jail by now."

Despite repeated requests, the King County prosecutor’s office refuses to explain why a decision on charges is taking so long, saying "the case is a high priority in the office. We have two deputy prosecutors assigned to review the case. "

David Allen, Momah's attorney, offered his reasons for the delay.

“This could as clear as them not having any evidence against Charles or that they're convinced Charles has not committed any of these crimes,” said Allen.

Some experts say delayed justice can make it difficult for sexual assault victims to heal.

“What we know is that recovering from rape takes a couple of years for most victims,” said Mary Ellen Stone, Director of King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.

Momah's attorney said the doctor has not left the state since the investigation began and he plans to see this case through. He also plans to practice medicine again.