Tampa Bay Rays team doctor dismissed after video claiming sexual abuse is posted

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – The team doctor for the Tampa Bay Rays won’t be returning to the locker room.

The team let Dr. Michael Reilly go after a St. Petersburg woman posted a YouTube video, claiming the doctor sexually abused her.

The woman claims the abuse happened eight to 10 years ago when she was 14 and worked in Dr. Reilly’s office.

She says she’s coming forward now because she wants to prevent others from being a victim.

“He would just touch me and it just, ya know, without getting specific, it just got worse,” said a woman, who says she is Brianna Holzerland.

On YouTube, Holzerland says Reilly started the abuse after her baby sitting job for him turned into a position at his medical office.

“He would put his hand on my hand and he would just show up behind me. He would put his hand on my shoulder and like, lightly rub my back,” said Holzerland.

Not knowing who to tell, she believes Dr. Reilly took advantage of her naive nature.

“He would shut the door and try to kiss me, and what do you say when you have four other people working there and you have to listen to the person that you work for?” said Holzerland.

The Rays issued a statement, saying “we have ended our contractual relationship with Dr. Michael Reilly, and we have also alerted the St. Petersburg Police Department and Major League Baseball of this situation.”

St. Anthony’s owner, Baycare, wrote it is waiting for more information before deciding next steps and: “we are concerned about the nature of the allegations and are empathetic towards any victims of sexual abuse.”

Police have no complaints.

“Those are some very serious allegations. So it’s our duty to look into these allegations and that’s what we’re doing at this point. We’re reviewing that and doing some fact-finding,” said Yolanda Fernandez with the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Nobody answered at Dr. Reilly’s house. Holzerland fears the abuse is continuing.

“He’s not locked up. I mean, he’s still out there doing this,” she said on YouTube.

Holzerland posted on Facebook, saying she stepped forward now after seeing former USA gymnastics coach Larry Nassar go to jail.

Holzerland’s mother said her daughter is overwhelmed right now and not doing interviews.

Dr. Reilly’s attorney Cathleen Bell Bremmer released this statement from Reilly on Wednesday morning:

“I recently watched the YouTube video. While I am deeply troubled by the allegations made, I am sympathetic to the pain she has expressed.

I deny her allegations of sexual abuse. We did, however, have a consensual relationship when she was an adult, which I regret.

I’ve dedicated my life to medicine and making our community a better place to live, so having my reputation tarnished in this manner is disturbing.

The video has already had serious repercussions for me and my family. As a result, I am consulting with legal counsel, and I am not in a position to say anything further at this time.

In the meantime I ask that you allow my family and me our privacy as the process plays out.”

Mike Reilly, M.D.