A Bellevue anesthesiologist is being investigated for aiding a prostitution business operated by his girlfriend. The operation involved women brought to the United States by sex traffickers.

The physician, employed by an anesthesia provider and who practices at Overlake Medical Center, has taken a voluntarily leave of absence from the provider and no longer practices at the hospital.

Overlake adds that the physician’s alleged conduct did not impact patient care in any way. The physician has not been charged with a crime and is still licensed to practice medicine in the state.

The situation came to light when the federal Drug Enforcement Administration discovered the doctor was depositing large amounts of money at ATMs and suspected he was dealing prescription drugs.

Instead, an investigation discovered the doctor was renting houses to be used as residential brothels for women who were working for his girlfriend, herself a prostitute.

Women employed as prostitutes told investigators that they came to the United States to work in the sex trade to support their families in Asia.