Anesthesiologist Pleads Guilty to Drugging and Abusing Nanny

Paul Giacopelli. Photo courtesy of Putnam County District Attorney’s Office. Public domain.

The chief anesthesiologist for a New York hospital has pleaded guilty to drugging and sexually abusing his family’s nanny in a shocking case that has left many in disbelief. Dr. Paul Giacopelli, 60, confessed to using hospital-grade chloroform to exploit his nanny, whom he considered an easy target, fulfilling his disturbing “chloroform fetish.”

Giacopelli’s confession comes after months of hidden abuse, where he used chloroform, a powerful anesthetic, to render the young woman unconscious. This allowed him to carry out his assaults without fear of immediate detection. The nanny, who trusted Giacopelli as an employer and medical professional, had no idea she was being preyed upon until she began noticing unusual symptoms and gaps in her memory.

A Calculated Betrayal

Court documents reveal that the 25-year-old victim, who worked as a nanny for Giacopelli’s children in Southeast, Putnam County, often stayed overnight when Giacopelli was on call at the local hospital. In late 2023, she began to notice a disturbing pattern - on four separate occasions, she fell asleep only to wake up with a rag over her face, the smell of chemicals in the air, before blacking out. Growing suspicious of these incidents, she installed a hidden camera in Giacopelli’s living room on Dec. 29, 2023. When she reviewed the footage after another blackout, her worst fears were confirmed: the video showed Giacopelli drugging her with chloroform and abusing her.

The Legal Fallout

Keith Simone, an investigator from the sheriff’s office, testified before the grand jury that Giacopelli admitted to using Sevoflurane, an anesthetic, to render the nanny unconscious by covering her mouth and nose with a rag. Giacopelli then confessed to sexually assaulting her after she blacked out, citing a “chloroform fetish.” He also mentioned that he considered the victim an easy target due to her being a “heavy sleeper,” according to U.S. News.

Simone testified that Giacopelli admitted to bringing drugs home from the hospital, including fentanyl, which were later found in his residence. Following his arrest, the state Board for Professional Medical Conduct revoked his medical license. Giacopelli is set to be sentenced on Nov. 20, 2024, facing four years in state prison with up to 10 years of post-release supervision, and he will be required to register as a sex offender. The misuse of his medical expertise and access to dangerous substances like chloroform underscores the need for stricter oversight and regulation within the medical field.

Justice Served

The nanny, whose bravery in uncovering the truth cannot be overstated, has been lauded for her courage in testifying against her abuser. Her decision to record the abuse provided the crucial evidence needed to bring Giacopelli to justice, ensuring that he can no longer harm others.

References: ‘Chloroform fetish’: Anesthesiologist pleads guilty to drugging, abusing nanny who he wrongly considered easy target | Anesthesiologist With ‘Chloroform Fetish’ Admits to Drugging, Sexually Abusing Family’s Nanny