Dr. Grant Robicheaux
Professional Resume
Grant Robicheaux received his MD degree at Louisiana State University in 2007. He then completed his residency at UC Irvine Medical Center in 2012. The following year Dr Robicheaux recieved a Fellowship to NYU School of Medicine to specialize in hand surgery.
After completing this advanced training in New York, he returned to southern California to establish a private medical practice. He soon became one of the most renowned and sought-after hand surgeons in the state. In addition to his successful private practice, Dr. Robicheaux started a non-profit corporation to provide orthopedic education to underserved areas, and he took monthly shifts at various OC hospitals providing services free of charge. He also obtained privileges with the Veteran’s Administration to teach resident VA surgeons and to provide medical services to veterans, all unpaid positions. Dr. Robicheaux understood and put into practice the notion of “paying it forward” to benefit others.
He is humbled and grateful for his success in the field of medicine.
Case Summary: People v. Robicheaux & Riley
FULLERTON, CA – September 28: Dr. Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley leave the North Justice Center with attorney Scott Borthwick, left. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
In 2016 there were two police reports involving Dr. Grant Robicheaux and his girlfriend Cerissa Riley at his home in Newport Beach. Detectives from the Newport Beach Police Department thoroughly investigated both incidents and determined there was lack of evidence to submit to the OC District Attorney for review.
Two years later, in 2018, DA Tony Rackauckas was fighting to retain his job as OCDA. The election was coming up in the Fall and he was behind in the polls to former Assistant DA Todd Spitzer.
Facing the prospect of losing his re-election bid, DA Rackauckas decided to “re-open” the closed 2016 investigations into Dr. Robicheaux and Ms Riley, and obtained their computers and cell phones after a search of the Newport Beach home. In addition to vacation trips and personal family photographs, the digital media contained images of consensual sexual activities.
In September 2018, two months before the upcoming election, DA Rackauckas announced a blockbuster news conference. To a room full of press representatives, Rackauckas stated that Dr. Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley may have sexually assaulted “over 1,000 women” and recorded their sexual assaults on video.
This press conference turned previously dismissed investigations in 2016 by the Newport Beach Police Department into an international tabloid story with “crime of the century” implications. This press conference was successful in generating massive publicity for DA Rackauckas and spreading unsubstantiated claims around the world.
Two months later DA Rackauckas lost his bid for re-election to his challenger Todd Spitzer. Inheriting the case from his predecessor, newly elected DA Spitzer reassigned the case to two of his most experienced sex-crime prosecutors to reexamine the case from top to bottom, “leaving no stone unturned”. These prosecutors were Senior Deputy District Attorney Richard Zimmer and Senior Deputy District Attorney Karyn Stokke.
Based on their extensive review of the evidence, and with the unanimous agreement of all OCDA senior deputy district attorneys and management, a motion was made by the OCDA in May 2020 to dismiss all the charges against Dr Robicheaux and Ms Riley (OCDA People’s Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss — Robicheaux & Riley – PDF). In a 2020 interview, Kimberly Edds, spokesperson for the OCDA, said: “The prior District Attorney represented that there were up to 1,000 unconscious assault victims on video. In fact, there were none.”
Judge Gregory Jones took the unusual step of denying the prosecution’s motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence because he thought the case had become “too politicized”. In June of 2020 Judge Jones reassigned the case to the California State Attorney General’s office for another top-to-bottom review, and a new team of prosecution attorneys.
Scott Borthwick and Dr. Grant Robicheaux leaving Orange County Superior Court, November 28, 2023. All sex-related charges dismissed. Photo: Orange County Register
After another 3 + years of investigation and another thorough evaluation by the Attorney General’s office, the final decision was made by Orange County Superior Court Judge Michael Leversen on November 29, 2023 to dismiss all sex charges against both defendants and accept a plea offer of probation for Dr. Robicheaux on the relatively minor charges of possession of a non-California compliant gun, as well as misdemeanor possession of psychedelic mushrooms.
For 5 1/2 years the lives of Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley were put on hold, while the public unfairly viewed them as predators. Finally, justice prevailed.
Defense Attorney Team:
Phillip K. Cohen, Shawn Holley, Scott A. Borthwick
Dr. Grant Robicheaux
Professional Resume
Grant Robicheaux received his MD degree at Louisiana State University in 2007. He then completed his residency at UC Irvine Medical Center in 2012. The following year Dr Robicheaux recieved a Fellowship to NYU School of Medicine to specialize in hand surgery.
After completing this advanced training in New York, he returned to southern California to establish a private medical practice. He soon became one of the most renowned and sought-after hand surgeons in the state. In addition to his successful private practice, Dr. Robicheaux started a non-profit corporation to provide orthopedic education to underserved areas, and he took monthly shifts at various OC hospitals providing services free of charge. He also obtained privileges with the Veteran’s Administration to teach resident VA surgeons and to provide medical services to veterans, all unpaid positions. Dr. Robicheaux understood and put into practice the notion of “paying it forward” to benefit others.
He is humbled and grateful for his success in the field of medicine.
Case Summary: People v. Robicheaux & Riley
FULLERTON, CA – September 28: Dr. Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley leave the North Justice Center with attorney Scott Borthwick, left. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
In 2016 there were two police reports involving Dr. Grant Robicheaux and his girlfriend Cerissa Riley at his home in Newport Beach. Detectives from the Newport Beach Police Department thoroughly investigated both incidents and determined there was lack of evidence to submit to the OC District Attorney for review.
Two years later, in 2018, DA Tony Rackauckas was fighting to retain his job as OCDA. The election was coming up in the Fall and he was behind in the polls to former Assistant DA Todd Spitzer.
Facing the prospect of losing his re-election bid, DA Rackauckas decided to “re-open” the closed 2016 investigations into Dr. Robicheaux and Ms Riley, and obtained their computers and cell phones after a search of the Newport Beach home. In addition to vacation trips and personal family photographs, the digital media contained images of consensual sexual activities.
In September 2018, two months before the upcoming election, DA Rackauckas announced a blockbuster news conference. To a room full of press representatives, Rackauckas stated that Dr. Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley may have sexually assaulted “over 1,000 women” and recorded their sexual assaults on video.
This press conference turned previously dismissed investigations in 2016 by the Newport Beach Police Department into an international tabloid story with “crime of the century” implications. This press conference was successful in generating massive publicity for DA Rackauckas and spreading unsubstantiated claims around the world.
Two months later DA Rackauckas lost his bid for re-election to his challenger Todd Spitzer. Inheriting the case from his predecessor, newly elected DA Spitzer reassigned the case to two of his most experienced sex-crime prosecutors to reexamine the case from top to bottom, “leaving no stone unturned”. These prosecutors were Senior Deputy District Attorney Richard Zimmer and Senior Deputy District Attorney Karyn Stokke.
Based on their extensive review of the evidence, and with the unanimous agreement of all OCDA senior deputy district attorneys and management, a motion was made by the OCDA in May 2020 to dismiss all the charges against Dr Robicheaux and Ms Riley (OCDA People’s Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss — Robicheaux & Riley – PDF). In a 2020 interview, Kimberly Edds, spokesperson for the OCDA, said: “The prior District Attorney represented that there were up to 1,000 unconscious assault victims on video. In fact, there were none.”
Judge Gregory Jones took the unusual step of denying the prosecution’s motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence because he thought the case had become “too politicized”. In June of 2020 Judge Jones reassigned the case to the California State Attorney General’s office for another top-to-bottom review, and a new team of prosecution attorneys.
Scott Borthwick and Dr. Grant Robicheaux leaving Orange County Superior Court, November 28, 2023. All sex-related charges dismissed. Photo: Orange County Register
After another 3 + years of investigation and another thorough evaluation by the Attorney General’s office, the final decision was made by Orange County Superior Court Judge Michael Leversen on November 29, 2023 to dismiss all sex charges against both defendants and accept a plea offer of probation for Dr. Robicheaux on the relatively minor charges of possession of a non-California compliant gun, as well as misdemeanor possession of psychedelic mushrooms.
For 5 1/2 years the lives of Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley were put on hold, while the public unfairly viewed them as predators. Finally, justice prevailed.
Defense Attorney Team:
Phillip K. Cohen, Shawn Holley, Scott A. Borthwick
James Ochoa
Conviction overturned
Garden Grove resident James Ochoa was accused of felony carjacking and armed robbery in 2005. Scott Borthwick met with Mr. Ochoa and his parents, and became convinced of his innocence. Borthwick researched the case for several months, postponing other work, and prepared a strong defense that included notable Expert Witnesses.
On the first day of the trial the prosecutor had the victims “identify” [mistakenly] Ochoa in the courtroom, and stated to the jury that the DNA and fingerprint forensic evidence [that excluded Ochoa] were not relevant.
Under intense pressure from the presiding judge to confess to a crime he did not commit, James Ochoa agreed to plead guilty before trial proceedings began on the second day to avoid a potential 50 year sentence. The defense case was not allowed to be presented and Ochoa was sentenced to two years in Centinela State Prison with a felony conviction.
After 16 months, a DNA match was made that proved the carjacking and robbery was committed by another person, who then confessed to the crime. James Ochoa was immediately released from prison. Borthwick arranged with the presiding judge for Ochoa’s record to show factual innocence, and helped to facilitate compensation from the State of California to Ochoa for wrongful incarceration. James Ochoa and Scott Borthwick remain lifelong friends.
- Year of Incident: 2005
Jurisdiction: CA
Charge: Carjacking, Armed Robbery
Conviction: Carjacking, Armed Robbery
Sentence: 2 Years
Year of Conviction: 2005
Year of Exoneration: 2006
Sentence Served: 1 Year
Real perpetrator found? Yes
Contributing Causes: Eyewitness, Misidentification, Unreliable/Limited Science
Government Misconduct Compensation? Yes
James Ochoa
Conviction overturned
Garden Grove resident James Ochoa was accused of felony carjacking and armed robbery in 2005. Scott Borthwick met with Mr. Ochoa and his parents, and became convinced of his innocence. Borthwick researched the case for several months, postponing other work, and prepared a strong defense that included notable Expert Witnesses.
On the first day of the trial the prosecutor had the victims “identify” [mistakenly] Ochoa in the courtroom, and stated to the jury that the DNA and fingerprint forensic evidence [that excluded Ochoa] were not relevant.
Under intense pressure from the presiding judge to confess to a crime he did not commit, James Ochoa agreed to plead guilty before trial proceedings began on the second day to avoid a potential 50 year sentence. The defense case was not allowed to be presented and Ochoa was sentenced to two years in Centinela State Prison with a felony conviction.
After 16 months, a DNA match was made that proved the carjacking and robbery was committed by another person, who then confessed to the crime. James Ochoa was immediately released from prison. Borthwick arranged with the presiding judge for Ochoa’s record to show factual innocence, and helped to facilitate compensation from the State of California to Ochoa for wrongful incarceration. James Ochoa and Scott Borthwick remain lifelong friends.
- Year of Incident: 2005
Jurisdiction: CA
Charge: Carjacking, Armed Robbery
Conviction: Carjacking, Armed Robbery
Sentence: 2 Years
Year of Conviction: 2005
Year of Exoneration: 2006
Sentence Served: 1 Year
Real perpetrator found? Yes
Contributing Causes: Eyewitness, Misidentification, Unreliable/Limited Science
Government Misconduct Compensation? Yes
Conviction overturned
OOPS
Judge, DA, cops quietly admit they sent an innocent 20-year-old man to prison for 16 months Free at last.
Photo by Jennie Warren | NEWS BY R. SCOTT MOXLEY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2006 – 3:01 PM
Last Friday night at Joe’s Crab Shack in Garden Grove, James Ochoa sipped a Budweiser, nibbled on French fries and started to speak about the 16 months he spent in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. “Man . . . ” His voice trailed off and he slowly shook his head, apparently unable to find words to describe his time in Centinela State Prison in Imperial County, home to nearly 5,000 male felons. He’s got fresh scars to prove life there is dangerous. He was quiet a moment and then said simply, “Nobody wants to live [in a space the size of] a broom closet for 23 hours a day.”
Conviction overturned
OOPS
Judge, DA, cops quietly admit they sent an innocent 20-year-old man to prison for 16 months Free at last.
Photo by Jennie Warren | NEWS BY R. SCOTT MOXLEY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2006 – 3:01 PM
Last Friday night at Joe’s Crab Shack in Garden Grove, James Ochoa sipped a Budweiser, nibbled on French fries and started to speak about the 16 months he spent in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. “Man . . . ” His voice trailed off and he slowly shook his head, apparently unable to find words to describe his time in Centinela State Prison in Imperial County, home to nearly 5,000 male felons. He’s got fresh scars to prove life there is dangerous. He was quiet a moment and then said simply, “Nobody wants to live [in a space the size of] a broom closet for 23 hours a day.”
The Case of the Dog That Couldn’t Smell Straight
No evidence, no problem for cops in case against James Ochoa
by R. SCOTT MOXLEY
November 4 -10, 2005
Tony Rackauckas’ personality swings wildly between wooden and stiff, but ask Orange County’s top prosecutor about the case of the canine catastrophe, and Rackauckas comes alive.
It was 1996, and Rackauckas, then a superior court judge, presided over a trial involving the brutal murder of an Irvine woman during a burglary. He allowed the testimony of Larry Harris, a police dog handler who claimed his bloodhound fingered a 17-year-old high school student, Earl Henry Rhoney, as the killer.
Except for Harris and his scent-sniffing dog, Duchess, there was no physical evidence that tied Rhoney to the crime. After a guilty verdict, Rackauckas shocked the district attorney’s office. He declared that Harris lacked credibility and overturned the jury’s decision. Without Harris’ claim, the DA’s case collapsed. Rhoney was freed after spending 42 months in jail….
The Case of the Dog That Couldn’t Smell Straight
No evidence, no problem for cops in case against James Ochoa
by R. SCOTT MOXLEY
November 4 -10, 2005
Tony Rackauckas’ personality swings wildly between wooden and stiff, but ask Orange County’s top prosecutor about the case of the canine catastrophe, and Rackauckas comes alive.
It was 1996, and Rackauckas, then a superior court judge, presided over a trial involving the brutal murder of an Irvine woman during a burglary. He allowed the testimony of Larry Harris, a police dog handler who claimed his bloodhound fingered a 17-year-old high school student, Earl Henry Rhoney, as the killer.
Except for Harris and his scent-sniffing dog, Duchess, there was no physical evidence that tied Rhoney to the crime. After a guilty verdict, Rackauckas shocked the district attorney’s office. He declared that Harris lacked credibility and overturned the jury’s decision. Without Harris’ claim, the DA’s case collapsed. Rhoney was freed after spending 42 months in jail….
Following are articles / websites related to the Ochoa case:
| Innocence Project, Non-profit Criminal Justice Resource Center, New York, NY | |
| James Ochoa Case | |
| OC Weekly, Santa Ana, CA | |
| “There Once was a Judge from Nantucket”: R. Scott Moxley 12/23/05 | |
| Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA | |
| “O.C.’s Justice System Can’t Plead Ignorance On This One”: Dana Parsons 11/2/06 | |
| “Is this Crime-Sniffing Device Up to Snuff?”: H.G. Reza 12/7/06 | |
| Prosecutors Guilty of Playing with Man’s Compensation“: Dana Parsons 6/30/07 | |
| Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA | |
| “Here’s Why We Need More Info On Judges”: Frank Mickadeit 11/2/06 | |
Following are articles / websites related to the Ochoa case:
| Innocence Project, Non-profit Criminal Justice Resource Center, New York, NY | |
| James Ochoa Case | |
| OC Weekly, Santa Ana, CA | |
| “There Once was a Judge from Nantucket”: R. Scott Moxley 12/23/05 | |
| Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA | |
| “O.C.’s Justice System Can’t Plead Ignorance On This One”: Dana Parsons 11/2/06 | |
| “Is this Crime-Sniffing Device Up to Snuff?”: H.G. Reza 12/7/06 | |
| Prosecutors Guilty of Playing with Man’s Compensation“: Dana Parsons 6/30/07 | |
| Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA | |
| “Here’s Why We Need More Info On Judges”: Frank Mickadeit 11/2/06 | |