Carmen Puliafito, MD, an ophthalmologist and former dean of Los Angeles-based USC Keck School of Medicine, is no longer treating patients after allegations of drug abuse and criminal association, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The LA Times investigative report — published Monday — cited photos and videos of Dr. Puliafito using drugs like ecstasy and associating with criminals in 2015 and 2016, during his tenure as dean.
The report claimed an escort overdosed in Dr. Pufliafito's presence at a hotel in Pasadena, Calif., in March 2016. The LA Times initiated its investigation after an anonymous witness expressed concerns to the publication regarding the police's handling of the overdose. No police report was filed at the time of the overdose, but after the newspaper inquired about the incident, a report was filed.
USC said it was reviewing Dr. Puliafito's status in patient care in a statement to the LA Times following the report's publication.
"He is currently on leave from his roles at USC, including seeing patients," USC said in the statement. "If the assertions reported in the July 17 Los Angeles Times story are true, we hope that Carmen receives care and treatment that will lead him to a full recovery."
To read the LA Times full investigation, click here.
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