A physician assistant at Brooklyn College’s health clinic groped female students — but complaints were brushed off by his supervisor, a lawsuit alleges.
Former CUNY film student Regina Patino claimed she felt violated and uncomfortable each time she was treated by an excessively touchy Gary Giardina at the school’s clinic on several occasions between 2022 to 2024, according a lawsuit filed Monday in Brooklyn Supreme Court.
She claimed he guided her to his office by her lower back, slid his hand up her thigh and pressed his cheek against hers during uncomfortable examinations.
When Patino, 26, asked to see a female physician instead of Giardina, the health clinic’s then-director Ilene Tannenbaum pulled her aside and asked why.
Patino alleged that Giardina, 78, was “excessively warm” towards her – and Tannenbaum told her she wasn’t the only one to say that.
But Tannenbaum insisted such complaints weren’t a problem because “he is an older man and has no interest in young girls like you,” according to the suit.
Patino, who has since graduated, is demanding unspecified damages.
Tannenbaum, a nurse practitioner, retired from the clinic at the 2024 school year after 30 years, according to The Brooklyn College Vanguard, but Giardina still works there.
“Brooklyn College takes all reports and allegations of misconduct seriously and is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment. Because this is a pending legal matter, the college is unable to comment further,” a college spokesperson told The Post.
CUNY, Giardina and Tannenbaum did not return requests for comment.
