ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Police reopened their investigation into a former physician for the Tampa Bay Rays after a local woman made allegations of sexual battery in a YouTube video.
A St. Petersburg Police spokesperson tells ABC Action News, new evidence has come to light and investigators will determine if Dr. Michael Reilly should be charged criminally.
ABC Action News has learned, police are investigating two additional reports of simple battery made by women who only recently came forward with their stories.
Related: Tampa Bay Rays cut ties with team physician amid video alleging sexual misconduct
It was previously decided Reilly would not face charges after Brianna Holzerland said she was the victim of sexual battery that happened between 2008-2009.
Since the victim was an adult at the time of the incident, officials said the statute of limitation had concluded and no charges could be filed.
Holzerland posted a video to YouTube in January describing the alleged abuse she encountered working for Reilly.
“My main reason for putting the video up was to speak of grooming and how it works and why it happens so often," said Holzerland. "They gain your trust and for me, personally, it’s because I did not have a very close relationship with my father and he filled that role for me.”
Holzerland said Reilly used his position of authority to manipulate her while she worked in his St. Petersburg medical office.
Holzerland hopes that by sharing her story, more people who have been impacted will come forward.
“In these situations, people typically don’t go after just one person. So, I knew it would take time," said Holzerland. “The more that people are silent, the more that it will happen because predators know they can get away with it.”
Dr. Reilly, who also spent time with the Tampa Bay Lightning and operated a private practice at St. Anthony's, denies all allegations of sexual abuse.
He released the following statement through his attorney Monday:
"I am surprised and saddened by the claims made against me, and I deny the allegations of inappropriate conduct. I have reviewed the police reports recommending closing the matters. Outside of Ms. Holzerland’s claims, the St. Petersburg Police Department has not contacted me or my lawyers about any closed or newly-opened investigations. It is unfortunate that this matter is playing out in the public eye, and I ask that you allow my family and me our privacy during this process."
Dr. Reilly previously stated he and Holzerland had a consensual relationship when she was an adult, which he regrets.
Editor's Note:
We want to let you know that the woman who made the video is related to an employee of WFTS, although that person does not work in our news department and is not part of our editorial process.
