A Nassau County judge on Friday dropped charges against a highly regarded oncologist who was accused of forcibly touching a patient.

Dr. Dwight De Risi says it's been a tough year since a patient accused him of inappropriately kissing and touching her. But he says he feels vindicated now that the charges have been dropped. He says he never kissed the accuser but that he does hug his patients.

The accuser told police last June that the De Risi kissed her on the mouth, rubbed her leg and stomach and told her, "You did good," following a breast procedure with a nurse in the room.

News 12 spoke to the patient over the phone last year. She said his status didn't give him the right "to do what he did to me."

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Judge Valerie Alexander dismissed the case Friday, saying in a written decision that there was "no inference that may be drawn from the allegations that the touching was done for the purpose of sexual gratification or degradation."

De Risi wasn't allowed to practice at his Great Neck office from his arrest in June until February, when the same judge first ruled there wasn't probable cause to make the arrest. He says the hardest part of the past year has been not being able to care for his patients. His office is covered with trinkets, stuffed animals and angels -- all gifts from patients throughout his 37-year career.

De Risi says, "In a way, I sort of feel sorry" for his accuser. She didn't respond to News 12's calls on Friday.

A spokesperson for the Nassau County District Attorney's Office said in a statement: "We prosecuted this case because we found the victim credible, and we strongly disagree with the judge's decision. We are reviewing our appellate options."

Nassau Detective Lt. Richard LeBrun also sent a statement that says: "'The arrest of Dr. De Risi was based on probable cause and the department still stands behind that determination."