Surgeon Indicted for Alleged Liver-Transplant Lie
A surgeon has been indicted by a federal grand jury in California for allegedly lying about the identity of a patient into whom a liver was transplanted in 2003 and directing his staff to submit falsified records.
While in charge of the former liver-transplant program at St. Vincent Medical Center, Dr. Richard Lopez Jr. is accused of covering up a decision to give an available liver to a Saudi Arabian man who was 52nd on a national transplant list, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The intended recipient, who also is Saudi Arabian, was not available to receive the liver because he was on a visit to his home country.
Attorney James Duff, who represents the 54-year-old physician, says he did nothing wrong.
“Dr. Lopez did not falsify any records,” Duff tells the Times, saying that a “sound medical decision” to provide the transplant saved the liver patient’s life.
Earlier coverage:
Los Angeles Times (Sept. 2005): “Hospital Halts Organ Program”
Los Angeles Times (Oct. 2005): “Deception Behind Liver-Transplant Switch Proved to Be Fatal”
