Former State College psychologist sentenced to 3-6 years

A State College psychologist charged with professional misconduct for sexually assaulting former patients is going to state prison.

Richard Scott Lenhart, 55, of State College, was sentenced Thursday.

Centre County Judge Jonathan Grine gave Lenhart a sentence of three to six years in state prison for engaging in inappropriate sexual acts with patients between 1994 and 2009 at his office on South Pugh Street in downtown State College.

Lenhart was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, insurance fraud and theft by deception and criminal use of a communication facility.

Anthony De Boef, Lenhart’s attorney, said in an email Friday that all of “the felony sexual assault charges were dismissed” against his client.

State Attorney General Kathleen Kane tweeted early Friday that Lenhart was also “found to be a sexually violent predator and was ordered to pay more than $71,000 in restitution.”

Two of Lenhart’s fomer victims came forward to police, telling similar stories about his methods of “therapy,” which included “hugging and touching” as part of their treatment.

This “touching therapy,” according to court documents, eventually progressed into direct sexual contact.

Lenhart’s methods also came with a price tag.

Evidence compiled by investigators showed he submitted insurance claims for his treatment practices using a code that would indicate he was rendering proper psychology services and treatment.

According to the criminal complaint, Lenhart submitted more than 600 claims for more than $71,500.

Lenhart entered a plea of nolo contendere, also known as a plea of no contest, in May 2015.

Lenhart’s license to practice was revoked by the Pennsylvania Board of Psychology as the state charged that Lenhart exploited his victims, who were patients seeking his help. The state argued that Lenhart’s methods were “re-traumatizing them in his role as a psychologist.”

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 12:25 PM with the headline "Former State College psychologist sentenced to 3-6 years."