Former UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh doctor charged with child pornography

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A former doctor at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh has been charged with possession of child pornography, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Ashok Panigrahy, chief radiologist at Children’s Hospital, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of sexual exploitation of children, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania said in a news release.

Prosecutors allege that in November 2022, Panigrahy “transported and attempted to transport material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor in interstate commerce and possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.”

UPMC said in a statement that when it learned of the investigation into Panigrahy, he was suspended and later fired.

“Last November, UPMC immediately placed him on administrative leave after being notified by law enforcement of their investigation and subsequently terminated his employment,” UPMC said in a statement.

Prosecutors said Homeland Security Investigations in Pittsburgh and Chicago conducted the investigation that led to the charges. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Justice Department initiative to combat “the growing epidemic” of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Prosecutors say Panigrahy could face up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.