August 11, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I announced a 50-count grand jury indictment this week against a doctor charged with sexually abusing three patients at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens hospital and drugging and raping three other women in his Queens home. The defendant was previously arrested in December for allegedly raping a female acquaintance in his apartment.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng was also accused of filming his alleged sexual abuse while the victims lay unconscious, both in his home and at the hospital. Videos were also found showing unidentified women being sexually assaulted in various locations including San Francisco, Las Vegas and Thailand.

The evidence recovered paints a chilling portrait of a serial rapist who shamelessly abused his position of trust and violated all boundaries of morality.

I urge anyone who believes they may have been victimized to contact my office’s Special Victims Bureau, at (718) 286-6505, or SpecialVictims@queensda.org. The bureau is staffed by some of our most senior attorneys, all of whom have undergone training in trauma-informed interviewing. Do not hesitate to reach out.

We will seek to achieve justice for the victims of these horrific assaults.

My top priority will always be keeping you and your loved ones safe.

In Friendship,

Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
Select Cases of Interest
  • Queens woman sentenced to 10 years for trafficking illegal firearms using the Iron Pipeline
  • Next-door neighbor indicted in murder of 10-year-old boy in Far Rockaway
  • Bronx man charged with murder in smoke shop shooting
Cold Case
If you have information about Michilene DiGirolomo, who was shot and killed 12 years ago, contact NYPD Crimestoppers by calling 800-577-TIPS, or through the online form.

It is never too late for justice.
Beautifying Astoria
Our Summer Leadership interns worked on a beautification project in Astoria with the help of the NYPD's Community Affairs team and Socrates Sculpture Park. Volunteers from our group weeded, mulched, sanded, and painted the area in front of the HANAC Community Center and the Ravenswood Senior Center.

The goal was to establish positive interactions between our young interns and their local community. They gained valuable experience and an enthusiasm for volunteer work.
Scholarship Awards Fundraiser
It was pleasure to attend the Federated Blocks of Laurelton's "Jazz in the Garden" awards dinner and congratulate this year's scholarship recipients. The group dates to 1972 and has long addressed quality of life issues and sponsored community programs.

I'd like to thank President Robert Glover for hosting this important event in support of young people's higher education.
Farewell to Sergeant James Clarke
As he embarks on his well-deserved retirement, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a golden future to Sergeant James Clarke, who dedicated 40 years of his life to serving the youth and communities of New York City as part of NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau. 

Executive Assistant District Attorney of Community Partnerships Colleen Babb presented Sergeant Clark with a proclamation from my office for his exceptional career and commitment to public service and the youth of our borough.
Family Day at Pomonok Houses
Summertime means more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and meet with members of the community.

Staff from my Community Partnerships division had a great time in Flushing joining Pomonok Houses residents for their annual Family Day to provide fraud prevention tips and important hotline information to attendees.