Thomas Franchini, MD, a Rhode Island podiatrist who was formerly employed at Augusta, Maine-based Togus VA Medical Center, is suing four newspapers for defamation, according to The Forecaster.
The lawsuit — filed Jan. 11 in U.S. District Court — claims the Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, USA Today and Investor's Business Daily, wrongly accused Dr. Franchini of malpractice. Further, Dr. Franchini claims reports published about him in the four newspapers last year were "libelous and damaging," resulting in a loss of employment and future earnings of more than $3.4 million.
In the complaint, Dr. Franchini claims the Bangor Daily News story incorrectly stated he was forced to leave the Togas VA hospital and that he "botched" surgical procedures. Further, he alleges the Portland Press Herald story was false because it reported Dr. Franchini was told to "step down or be fired" and stated he provided negligent care.
Dr. Franchini admits the Maine VA hospital asked him to stop performing surgeries in 2010, but he was never forced to leave, and instead he resigned.
Two years after he left the hospital, Dr. Franchini was accused of "numerous cases of substandard performance or procedures" by the VA medical center. However, he claims those allegations were "false and baseless," according to the report.
Dr. Franchini is seeking a jury trial.
Cliff Schechtman, executive editor of MaineToday Media and owner of the Portland Press Herald, told The Forecaster, "Our careful reporting, based on federal court records and documents from the [VA Maine Healthcare System], is accurate."