A former North Canton psychologist has been charged with practicing medicine without a license and four counts of sexual battery, Canton police announced. Richard C. Kuendig, 71, who previously surrendered his psychology license, is accused of engaging in sexual activity with two clients. Police arrested Kuendig on Oct. 21. The charges are allegations only, and Kuendig, like anyone charged with a crime, is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
According to police, Kuendig allegedly represented the sexual activity to the clients as part of their treatment. Investigators allege the activity occurred during scheduled appointments at his office. Police further allege that he regularly met with patients during a period running from October 2024 through June 2026, even though his license had already lapsed and been surrendered by then. Authorities have released no information identifying the alleged victims beyond describing them as clients.
Kuendig appeared in Canton Municipal Court on Oct. 21, where Magistrate Derek McClowry set his bond at $200,000. The court also issued a no-contact order barring him from contact with the alleged victims while the case is pending. The charges were filed by Canton police following their investigation, and the case will proceed through the municipal court in Canton.
Defense attorney Jeffrey R. Jakmides said Kuendig will plead not guilty to the charges. Jakmides stressed that his client is entitled to the presumption of innocence, a point the defense is expected to emphasize as the case moves forward. No trial date or further hearing details were included in the initial court information released this week.
State records show Kuendig’s separation from the profession predates the alleged conduct. Under a consent agreement dated Nov. 11, 2024, with the Ohio Board of Psychology, he voluntarily retired permanently and surrendered his license to practice psychology in Ohio. The agreement states that he retired on Aug. 30, 2024, citing deteriorating health and advanced age, and that his license lapsed on Sept. 30, 2024. The practicing-without-a-license charge alleges he continued seeing patients after that point.
A message seeking comment was left Oct. 21 on the answering machine at Kuendig’s office, but no response from him personally had been reported as of the initial filings. Police have not announced any additional charges, and investigators have not said whether they believe there may be other clients with information relevant to the case.
For Stark County residents, the case raises questions about how patients can confirm that a provider they are seeing is currently licensed, a status the Ohio Board of Psychology makes available for public verification. For now, the allegations remain just that — allegations filed in Canton Municipal Court — and Kuendig’s not guilty plea means the claims will be tested through the court process in the weeks and months ahead.
Photo: Niagara66, CC BY-SA 4.0