Bail hiked for NY pediatrician facing sex charges

MINEOLA, N.Y. – A New York judge has increased bail to $10 million bond or $5 million cash for a Long Island pediatrician facing charges he sexually abused young female patients.

Dr. Rakesh Punn pleaded not guilty Friday. Charges in the 60-count indictment include sexual abuse, assault, promoting a sexual performance by a child and unlawful surveillance.

A prosecutor said some of the victims were as young as 11, and were allegedly drugged with sedatives and blindfolded during the assaults.

Punn was first arrested in July 2010 on charges he secretly videotaped girls while they were naked in his office.

Bail on those charges had been set at $3.5 million bail. His attorney says he cannot post that because prosecutors have frozen his assets.