US DETECTIVES investigating allegations that Premier Ewart Brown's son ¿ physician Kevin Brown ¿ sexually assaulted one of his patients, are remaining tight-lipped about the year-long probe.

But they acknowledged that "there may be additional victims" and have repeated a request for any witnesses to come forward.

Dr. Brown, who has operated a medical practice in Los Angeles, California, for the last ten years, was arrested in the city on Tuesday morning after a police sting operation in which an undercover officer posed as a patient. The investigation was launched after another patient made allegations that she was "inappropriately touched" by Dr. Brown.

Dr. Brown is now facing multiple felony and misdemeanour charges and, if convicted, will be forced to register as a sex offender in the west coast state.

An arrest warrant issued by the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, lists seven counts against Dr. Brown.

Count One reads: "On or about June, 28, 2007, in the county of Los Angeles, the crime of sexual battery by fraud, in violation of Penal Code Section 243.4 (c), a felony was committed by Kevin Antario Brown, who did unlawfully touch an intimate part of Dominique H. for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification and sexual abuse where said Dominique H. was unconscious at the time of the nature of the act due to the fraudulent representation of the defendant that the touching served a professional purpose.

The second count charges Dr. Brown with committing the same offence on a second patient, Jane Doe, on June 19 of this year.

A third count reads: "On or between June 28, 2007 and June 19, 2008, in the County of Los Angeles, the crime of sexual exploitation, in violation of Business and Professions Code Section 729 (a), a felony was committed by Kevin Antario Brown.

Four other counts, relating to the first two, are also listed.

A statement issued by the LAPD said: "On July 8, 2008, at around 9.30 a.m., Kevin Antario Brown, 37 years of age, was arrested on a $50,000 arrest warrant that was obtained by detectives from Robbery Homicide Division, Rape Special Section, upon conclusion of the year-long investigation.

"In June 2007 an 18-year-old female reported to police that during a medical examination by Dr. Brown she was inappropriately touched. As a result of this report, detectives assigned to Detective Support and Vice Division, and Robbery Homicide Division, conducted an undercover operation. During the operation a female undercover operator posing as a patient was also inappropriately touched during a medical exam.

"Detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Sex Crime Unit, resulting in the $50,000 warrant being issued and multiple felony and misdemeanour charges being filed. The charges against Dr. Brown relate to sexual battery by fraud and sexual exploitation by a physician. Dr. Brown was taken into custody without incident by Fugitive Warrant Section."

Yesterday, LAPD Detective Monica Cross said the law enforcement agency would not be releasing any further details about the investigation, although she did confirm that Dr. Brown has been released on bail and is due to appear in court again on July 29.

Dr. Brown was at the centre of controversy just two months ago after the Mid-Ocean News revealed that Bermuda taxpayer funds were used to help promote a gambling tournament at the Los Angeles Playboy Mansion ¿ the playground of soft porn magnate Hugh Heffner. The event was organised by Dr. Brown to raise cash for his health charity, the Urban Health Institute. Similar events ¿ again supported by the Ministry of Tourism ¿ were held at the mansion in 2006 and 2007.

Tourism officials, under direct orders from Premier Brown, donated Bermuda holiday packages as prizes for the poker tournament. But although other sponsors had their logos and products placed in promotional material advertising the event, there was no evidence that Bermuda Tourism received any plug at the event. One of the event organisers later revealed that advertising Bermuda at the high profile event was never discussed.

The Premier attended the event while his son posed for photographs with scantily-clad bunny girls and celebrities such as actor Don Cheadle.