The state attorney general’s office is prosecuting a local doctor for allegedly having inappropriate sexual contact with a female patient.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro said his office will prosecute Dr. Matthew Sabo, of Chicora, for allegedly inappropriately touching a patient at the Foot and Ankle Wellness Center of Western Pennsylvania in Ford City.

State police in Kittanning arrested Sabo, 48, in January on a felony charge of sexual extortion and a misdemeanor charge of indecent assault.

A preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge J. Gary DeComo was rescheduled for March 22.

Police said the charges stem from events that occurred since 2017 at the center.

In February 2020, the alleged victim reported to state police that Sabo touched her inappropriately many times during podiatry exams. The victim stated that she had been a patient of Sabo’s for many years due to a severe injury to her foot in 2003. She stated that beginning in 2017, Sabo began inappropriately hugging her and touching her breasts during her exams.

The attorney general’s office said anyone who believes they have been a victim of Sabo should contact Trooper Michael Graham at 724-543-2011.