Lake Tahoe chiropractor pleads guilty to sexual abuse

TAHOE CITY, Calif. -- A north Lake Tahoe chiropractor accused of sexually abusing 10 patients is awaiting sentencing Jan. 7.

Steven Clifford, 48, of Kings Beach, pleaded guilty last week to three felony counts of sexual abuse, said Placer County Deputy District Attorney Chris Cattran.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys have agreed to a five-year prison term, which Cattran considers adequate.

"(The plea change) pretty much concludes the case," Cattran said.

Clifford, whose office was in nearby Carnelian Bay, was arrested in January on suspicion of inappropriately touching a female patient's breasts during treatment.

But charges were expanded against him in February. He was accused of sexually abusing 10 patients and two counts of felony sexual battery.