Dr. James Curtis Roberson Lawsuit: MedStar Class Action

A proposed class action lawsuit against MedStar Health and Dr. James C. Roberson II, filed on April 17, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, alleges that MedStar failed for years to stop sexual misconduct by Roberson, a former rheumatologist who saw patients at MedStar facilities in Maryland and Virginia. The case, Basham v. MedStar Health, Inc. & Roberson, could cover more than 100 patients treated by him between 2008 and 2025.¹²

Who Can Join the Class

The proposed class is defined as patients who saw Roberson at MedStar Health Orthopedics at Brandywine, Maryland, at MedStar Health Orthopedics at Lorton, Virginia, or at any other MedStar facility where he practiced, from 2008 through 2025.³ Plaintiffs’ counsel Philip Federico has estimated the class could include “certainly more than 100” patients across the two states.² The plaintiffs are represented by Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC and Keilty Bonadio.

What Roberson Is Alleged to Have Done

Lead plaintiff LaShawn Basham began seeing Roberson around 2021 or 2022 at MedStar’s Brandywine facility for treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome. Over multiple appointments, she alleges, Roberson performed repeated breast exams with no clinical reason, gave full-body massages with lotion, and inappropriately touched her vaginal area under the guise of medical assessment.²¹

The complaint that led to Roberson’s firing came in October 2024. A patient reported that he touched her inappropriately during an exam and asked whether she would “mind if he gave her oral sex.” In sworn testimony before the Maryland Board of Physicians, Roberson admitted to romantic relationships with four patients and to writing what he called “inappropriately flirtatious” emails. He said his behavior “started to slip” in 2022 and got progressively worse until his firing. Two additional patients testified about unusual breast exams and inappropriate comments.²

The Maryland Board of Physicians’ investigation concluded that Roberson had engaged in inappropriate conduct with at least seven patients, and documented breast exams without a chaperone, medically inappropriate massages with oil or lotion, unnecessary vaginal touching and penetration presented as medical assessment, and sexually inappropriate comments and conduct.⁴

What MedStar Allegedly Knew, and When

The lawsuit’s institutional theory rests on a warning that predates the 2024 report by six years. In 2018, the Maryland Board of Physicians issued an advisory letter to Roberson after a patient complained about an inappropriate breast exam conducted without a chaperone. The letter warned that such behavior could be considered unprofessional conduct, but no further disciplinary action followed at that time.²

The complaint alleges MedStar knew or should have known about concerns regarding Roberson’s behavior with patients, failed to monitor his access to vulnerable patients, and did not take meaningful corrective steps until the October 2024 report forced the issue.⁵

The Claims and Damages Sought

The complaint asserts six counts against MedStar: negligence, negligent hiring, negligent supervision and retention, premises liability, vicarious liability, and concealment.⁶ The plaintiffs seek damages in excess of $5 million and have requested a jury trial.¹

License Revocation and Criminal Status

On October 1, 2025, the Maryland Board of Physicians summarily suspended Roberson’s license, finding he posed a “substantial likelihood of serious harm to public health and safety.” That suspension was affirmed on October 16, 2025, and Virginia imposed its own mandatory suspension on October 20, 2025.³ On February 2, 2026, the Maryland Board permanently revoked Roberson’s license through a consent order, meaning he agreed to the revocation. The Board found his conduct constituted sexual misconduct and “immoral and unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine.”⁴ No criminal charges against Roberson have been publicly reported based on the available record.

MedStar’s Response

MedStar has said it suspended Roberson “immediately” after learning of a patient’s concerns in early October 2024 and terminated him following an internal investigation. In a statement responding to the lawsuit, MedStar said: “We will never tolerate inappropriate behavior by our providers, and we will always act quickly to address any allegations of misconduct brought to our attention.” The health system said it “sincerely regret[s] any pain Dr. Roberson’s actions may have caused our patients and their families.”¹ Plaintiffs’ attorneys said MedStar had been “very cooperative” with their civil investigation.²

Where the Case Stands

As of mid-2026, the case remains in its early stages. No rulings on class certification or motions to dismiss have been reported.³

1
Fox 5 DC. Class Action Filed Over Alleged Misconduct by MedStar Doctor
2
The Daily Record. MedStar Health Sexual Harassment Suit
3
Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC. Class Action Against James C. Roberson, MD
4
Keilty Bonadio. Dr. Roberson Class Action
5
American Bazaar. MedStar Health Sued for Failing to Act on Alleged Sexual Harassment by Ex-Physician
6
PACER Monitor. Basham v. MedStar Health, Inc. et al – Complaint