A former plastic surgeon has filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against a large Florida hospital system over claims that he was fired for complaining about “unethical and illegal conduct” involving Allergan (AGN), and then suffered a “smear campaign” used to disguise the reason for his termination.
In the lawsuit, Dr. Jeffrey Feiner, a reconstructive plastic surgeon at Orlando Health, argued that he had objected to “excessive and unnecessary” orders for Allergan breast implants that were made by other physicians, who were paid for consulting work to the drug maker and also given “improper gifts.” The products, meanwhile, were billed to patients, health plans, and Medicare and Medicaid.
Allergan paid, directly or indirectly, for Christmas parties, brought gifts for Orlando Health staff and physicians, paid the tab for staff and physician lunches and dinners, and paid for at least part of a birthday party for a doctor, which included a private sushi chef, according to the lawsuit, which was filed late last month. Also, an Allergan sales rep allegedly asked him to order unneeded breast implants.
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