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A chiropractor who practiced in Richmond and Chesterfield County was sentenced Friday in the city for three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery of his patients.
Michael Dennis Pollock, 67, did not admit guilt on Friday, but was found guilty by Richmond Circuit Court Judge Claire G. Cardwell. Cardwell sentenced him to 15 days in jail — five days for each count, per a plea agreement — but his attorney, James Maloney, said Pollock had already served that time and asked that he be released following the hearing.
Pollock was given a week’s reprieve before facing sentencing to allow him to attend his son’s graduation, according to the plea agreement.
Last year, Pollock was initially charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery and object sexual penetration stemming from interactions he had with two women while working at a Richmond office in May. Richmond police said the facility where the alleged assaults occurred, Advanced Wellness Centre on Grove Avenue in Richmond, isn’t where Pollock usually sees patients. His practice, Bon Air Chiropractic Clinic, is off Forest Hill Avenue in North Chesterfield.
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Two women told police they were inappropriately touched during his examination in the Richmond office, according to a court affidavit.
Police said the driver, described as a juvenile boy, died in the crash.
“This was not a recognized form of treatment,” a Richmond detective swore in an affidavit.
Pollock has a history of similar complaints dating back to 1984, according to documents from the Virginia Department of Health Professions. His license had been restricted or suspended on two prior occasions since 2003.
At a Board of Medicine hearing in 2012 when Pollock petitioned to have his license reinstated, a psychiatrist “opined that Dr. Pollock ‘is not a sexual predator’ and that [the psychiatrist] does not believe Dr. Pollock ‘is a danger to his patients.’”
His license was fully restored in 2013 after Pollock completed a 100-hour mentorship under a board-approved chiropractor, 12 hours of continued education on professional ethics and patient boundaries, and engaged in therapy. He also was required to have a chaperone present for all encounters with female patients.
As part of Friday’s plea agreement, Pollock must surrender his chiropractic license, which was suspended by Virginia Board of Medicine in February, and agree to never practice again. He must also register as a sex offender and complete “mental health and fitness” evaluation to assess “his risk to the community for sexual predation,” according to the plea deal.
Pollock must pay for the evaluation himself, but is allowed to choose the expert who does the assessment, the agreement said.
Top five weekend events: ¿Qué Pasa? Festival, Ashland Strawberry Festival, Fred Armisen and Bon Iver
Fred Armisen

Friday
Former “Saturday Night Live” staffer is hitting the road this summer on his “Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome” tour. The tour taps into jokes for musicians, that the everymanperson can appreciate, as well as including Armisen on drums and guitar. With Def Rain. 8 p.m. The National, 708 E. Broad St. $25-$30. thenationalva.com or (888) 929-7849.
¿Qué Pasa? Festival
SaturdayAfter two years of postponement because of COVID, the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival returns to the Canal Walk. Explore the diversity of Hispanic and Latin American cultures with dance, food, drinks, crafts, art activities and education. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 320 S. 12 St. to Virginia St. Free entry, pay as you go. https://quepasafestival.com/
Ashland Strawberry Faire

Saturday
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ashland Strawberry Faire at Randolph Macon College. Enjoy live music, 300 vendors, a pet pageant, trolley rides, a kids’ parade and lots and lots of strawberries. Proceeds benefit scholarships and grants to local nonprofits. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Randolph Macon College Campus, Henry Street. Free entry, pay as you go. https://ashlandstrawberryfaire.com/
RIFF Music Festival

Sunday
The Richmond International Film Festival wraps up a week of events with a Music Fest at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery featuring a full day of music from bands around the world on indoor and outdoor stages. Noon-5:30 p.m. Free to attend, pay as you go, donations encouraged. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2408 Ownby Lane. https://riffva2022.eventive.org/welcome
Bon Iver

Sunday
American indie folk band, Bon Iver, will perform at Virginia Credit Union Live! with Bonny Light Horseman opening. Bon Iver is known for songs “Skinny Love” and “Rosyln” and their collaborations with Taylor Swift on “Exile” and “Evermore.” 7:30 p.m. Virginia Credit Union Live! at Richmond Raceway, 900 E. Laburnum Ave. $49.50 to $99.50. www.vaculive.com or (804) 612-1900.
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