An Ohio male nurse, who is charged with raping a paralyzed patient, has confessed to police that he assaulted almost 100 patients since 1985 at 10 nursing homes where he worked the night shift. John Riems told investigators that he abused so many patients he cannot recall them all.

Riems, 49, pleaded not guilty last week to charges of rape and gross sexual imposition of a 55-year-old male patient at Concord Care nursing home. Perkins Township Police Chief Tim McClung said more charges will be filed. Riems is being held on $100,000 bond.

The Ohio attorney general's office is assisting in the investigation, questioning nursing home patients and their families.

Known for His Bad Temper

Meanwhile, co-workers are saying Riems was known as having a temper and for spending long periods in patients' room with the door closed.

"We've had several residents, they don't want him touching them, they don't want him in their room," said Cynthia Wilson, who said she worked with Riems for more than 20 years at several nursing homes. "A lot of them would refuse their meds just to keep him out of their room."

Wilson said she reported Riems' behavior to the nursing home's management, but nothing came of the allegations.

"If we're complaining about it, his record shouldn't be clean. There should be a record in his chart showing what he's doing," she said. "But nothing. Nothing. I don't understand it."

See Also:
Colleague: Patients Feared Ohio Nurse

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^{Photo: Mug Shot}