Paging Dr. p*rn

Kiddie p*rn downloads deep-six MGH doc: Cardiologist loses license

by Michael Lasalandra
Thursday, November 21, 2002

A top Massachusetts General Hospital cardiologist and heart researcher had his license revoked yesterday for downloading thousands of computer files depicting child p*rnography, so many that the hospital's computer system nearly ground to a halt.

Dr. Howard Kantor, 52, a graduate of Yale Medical School and a board-certified cardiologist and internist, resigned from his appointments at MGH and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in March 2001 after the incidents were discovered by co-workers.

Kantor's illicit activities were first noted in September 2000, when an officer of the Partners HealthCare Information Systems discovered that Kantor was downloading what appeared to be child p*rnography onto his secure account on the shared drive of the MGH computer system.

According to documents provided by the Board of Registration in Medicine, Kantor's longtime secretary told MGH security that ``she regularly observed Dr. Kantor on the computers in both of his offices and has on multiple occasions observed photos of young nude girls on his computer screens.''

In fact, she said that whenever he wasn't seeing patients, ``he is always on the computer'' and that she ``knew he had a problem with child p*rnography.''

An investigation into Kantor's shared drive found 8,654 files containing 15 gigabytes worth of pornographic material, board records show.

According to MGH security, ``many of the photographs were of female children obviously under the age of 18 years old posing nude, partially clothed or nude and involved in various sexual acts to include penetration with mature adult males. Other photographs depicted rape and bondage of both children and adult females.''

Nancy Achin Audesse, executive director of the medical board, said she was told by MGH officials that the matter was discovered when the hospital's computer experts noticed ``systems performance problems'' that turned out to be related to a large number of graphic files being downloaded onto a computer.

The board accepted a voluntary agreement from Kantor in March 2001 in which he agreed to stop practicing. Yesterday's revocation of his license followed a full probe.

Kantor was convicted in July 2001 on one count of possession of child p*rnography in Suffolk Superior Court. He was given three years' probation, community service, forced psychiatric treatment and was required to register as a sex offender.

A year after the board first issued a statement of allegations against Kantor, in March 2001, the doctor supplied a long list of letters of support from colleagues who pleaded that he be allowed to resume the practice of medicine.

``Every one of my professional encounters with him was an encounter with a truly conscientious, compassionate, yet enthusiastic caregiver,'' wrote Dr. Eric F. Grabowski, a MGH pediatrician.

In another letter, Dr. Thomas J. Brady, a radiologist, said he had worked closely with Kantor over 15 years and had collaborated with him on many research papers.

``He was very dedicated to his patients,'' Brady wrote. ``I am writing to request that the board allow Dr. Kantor to return as a productive member of his profession at this time.''

In another letter, Dr. William Harris said he found Kantor's actions ``surprising, disappointing and totally out of character.''

Prior to the child p*rnography incidents, Kantor had enjoyed a long and distinguished career in medicine.

cw2 He graduated from Brandeis University in 1971, got his medical degree from Yale in 1978 and had done residencies and fellowships at George Washington University Medical Center, the National Institutes of Health and at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He joined MGH and Harvard Medical School in 1985.

He was a top researcher in the field of heart imaging and had published dozens of papers.

Kantor had lived in Weston with his wife and two daughters, ages 18 and 15, until last summer.

He could not be reached for comment yesterday.

http://www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/porn11212002.htm