Carmen Puliafito, MD, the former dean of the Los Angeles-based Keck School of Medicine of USC, lost his license Aug. 17, according to The Orange County Register.
Here are five things to know:
1. The Medical Board of California reportedly decided in late July to strip Dr. Puliafito of his medical license, citing several violations, including illegal drug use and writing prescriptions for a prostitute who was not a patient. The decision remained pending for 30 days to allow Dr. Puliafito to file an appeal.
2. Medical board documents indicate the revocation became official Aug. 17. The board did not take action on a petition for reconsideration filed by Dr. Puliafito's attorney on behalf of his client.
3. During the board's hearings, Dr. Puliafito and his lawyer claimed he had bipolar disorder and maintained a "hypomanic" state that affected his judgement and behavior, according to the report. Dr. Puliafito also noted he had been in recovery for roughly one year and should be allowed to practice medicine under supervision.
4. The administrative law judge hearing the case stated Dr. Puliafito had made "some important strides toward his rehabilitation," but "the evidence did not establish that his rehabilitation has progressed to the point that would justify allowing his continued licensure, even on a restricted basis," The Orange County Register reports.
5. The board's decision came approximately one year after the Los Angeles Times published an investigation detailing Dr. Puliafito's drug misuse, sometimes within hours of seeing patients. The publication also detailed the former dean's role in the drug overdose of a 21-year-old prostitute in a hotel in California. Despite resigning from the institution as dean in 2016, he remained on the medical school's faculty and continued seeing patients. USC fired Dr. Puliafito last August after the Los Angeles Times report was published.
To access the full report, click here.