TACOMA — The Bremerton nonprofit clinic that employed a Poulsbo doctor charged in 2014 with sexually assaulting women patients is being sued in federal court, with nine women claiming Peninsula Community Health Services failed to supervise Dr. Darren Chotiner even after knowing he kissed a patient in 2011.

The criminal case against Chotiner made news when he was arrested three years ago but public interest in the case was renewed after the lawsuit was filed last month in U.S. District Court.

The suit names four women allegedly sexually assaulted by Chotiner – for which criminal charges have been filed – along with five other women whose allegations have not resulted in criminal charges. A fifth woman alleged criminal conduct by Chotiner during an exam, for which he is charged, but she is not included in the federal lawsuit.

In preparation for trial, prosecutors are seeking to introduce testimony of a total of 20 women who alleged Chotiner acted inappropriately, if not criminally, while he was treating them at the Bremerton clinic, according to court documents.

Following his arrest, the state Department of Health’s Medical Quality Assurance Commission suspended Chotiner’s license, calling the accusations credible.

Chotiner is free on bail since his arrest in December 2014 and regularly attends status hearings on his case in Kitsap County Superior Court. He is scheduled for trial in January, but the trial date is subject to change. He is currently charged with two counts of second-degree rape and five counts of indecent liberties.

Chotiner’s attorney for the criminal case, Elizabeth Mount Penner, declined to comment.

The former CEO of Peninsula Community Health previously told the Kitsap Sun the non-profit believed Chotiner had engaged in a “long kiss” with a female patient in 2011 – Chotiner was not accused of initiating the kiss – and instituted a policy where Chotiner was accompanied by a female “chaperone” during examinations.

The new lawsuit contains allegations from women who say Chotiner acted improperly – if not criminally – during exams in which Chotiner had one-on-one contact with female patients when he was supposed to be accompanied by the chaperone.

“By failing to adequately manage Dr. Chotiner and enforce its own policies, procedures, and agreements, (Peninsula Community Health) was negligent and proximately caused injury to the plaintiffs,” wrote the attorney for the women, Todd Tinker, of Bainbridge Island. Tinker did not respond to an email from the Kitsap Sun seeking comment.

The current CEO, Jennifer L. Kreidler-Moss, responded to a request for comment with an email: “PCHS is unable to comment on pending litigation but will continue to cooperate in the investigation of any and all claims.”

The women are also suing the federal government because Peninsula Community Health is a federally qualified health center. The clinic was founded in Bremerton in 1987 and took on the federal status in 1993. Its services include medical, dental, mental health, pharmacy services, and takes patients regardless of their ability to pay, according to the non-profit’s website.