Tampa Bay Rays fire Dr. Michael Reilly after sexual abuse allegations emerge — 5 insights

Orthopedic Sports Medicine

The Tampa Bay Rays fired longtime physician Michael Reilly, MD, after the team was made aware of a video alleging the physician sexually abused a former employee of his practice, ESPN reports.

Here's what you should know:

 

1. The Rays' Senior Vice President of Administration and General Counsel John Higgins released a statement on behalf of the team. He said, "We have very recently become aware of a video accusing Dr. Reilly of sexually abusing a former employee of his medical practice. We have ended our contractual relationship with him, and we have also alerted the St. Petersburg Police Department and Major League Baseball of this situation."

 

2. In the video, uploaded Jan. 17, a woman alleges Dr. Reilly sexually abused her eight to 10 years ago while she was a teenager. She alleges the abuse lasted over a period of three years.

 

3. The St. Petersburg Police Department said an investigation into the allegations is ongoing.

 

4. Dr. Reilly released a statement to ABC Action News Jan. 30 denying the woman's allegations. He said, "While I am deeply troubled by the allegations made, I am sympathetic to the pain she has expressed. I deny her allegations of sexual abuse. We did, however, have a consensual relationship when she was an adult, which I regret."

 

He continued by saying the allegations have had "serious repercussions" on his family. Dr. Reilly consulted legal counsel and had no further comment. He concluded by asking for privacy.

 

5. Dr. Reilly was the Rays' team physician for 20 years.

 

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