California judge weighing reduced charges in Newport Beach surgeon's rape case

Newport Beach, CA
Photo credit Getty Images

State prosecutors in the high profile sexual assault case against a Newport Beach hand surgeon and his girlfriend told a judge on Friday they intend to move forward with a new complaint charging the couple with crimes alleged by two victims.

Dr. Grant Robicheaux, 40, and Cerissa Riley, 34, have been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women. Former Orange County District ATtorney Tony Rackauckas filed charges against the couple in 2019, alleging they used their good lucks to prey on women, drug them, and sexually assaulting them inside their Newport Beach home.

Later that year, after District Attorney Todd Spitzer took over the office, two deputy district attorneys were assigned to conduct a review of all evidence collected in the case. Three months later, the office determined Rackauckas had compiled insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the couple had engaged in the conduct they were accused of. Spitzer sought to dismiss all charges.

That request was denied by Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregory Jones, who instead kicked Spitzer's office off the case and brought in state prosecutors.

In May, those prosecutors announced they were aiming to anchor their case in the allegations of just one woman. However, they informed Judge Frank Ospino on Friday they now intend to advance with two of the original seven women who accused Grant Robicheaux of sexually assaulting them. (Riley was originally charged with five assaults.)

Robicheaux and Riley have pleaded not guilty and insist any relations with the women in question were consensual. Robicheaux is known for being featured in an episode of Bravo's 2014 cable docuseries, "Online Dating Rituals of the American Male." In 2014, he lost is medical license and lost his job.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images