Former physical therapist arraigned on new charges

NORTHAMPTON – Edward Kostek, a former Cooley Dickinson Hospital physical therapist, pleaded not guilty today to two charges of rape before Hampshire Superior Court Judge Jeremy Bucci.

Kostek, 42, of South Hadley, was convicted by a Northampton District Court jury in September on three counts of indecent assault and battery in connection with incidents that transpired while he was working as a physical therapist. The rape charges involve a different patient he treated while working for CDH in 2012.

Acting on the joint recommendation of Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington and defense attorney Luke Ryan of Northampton, Judge Bucci ordered Kostek released on his own recognizance with the condition that he is prohibited from contact with the alleged victim and two other witnesses.

The case was continued to Nov. 8 for a pretrial conference.

Following his conviction in September, Kostek received a suspended two-year jail sentence during which time he is on probation. That case stemmed from incidents involving a patient in his care at Cooley Dickinson Hospital Rehabilitation Services at 8 Atwood Drive, where she was seeking physical therapy treatment for neck injuries sustained in a car crash in January, 2019.

Following that sentencing, another former patient of Kostek reported to Northampton Police that she had been assaulted while undergoing physical therapy for three months in 2012.

 “A police investigation after another victim came forward following Kostek’s first conviction and sentencing led to this case being brought before a grand jury. Only the superior court has jurisdiction over a rape charge. In sexual assaults, it is not uncommon for survivors to delay disclosing in the immediate aftermath. We commend the survivor for coming forward,” said ADA Covington.

A rape conviction brings with it a potential maximum 20 year prison sentence.