Board gives doctor light punishment in exchange for testimony

By Marshall Allen

Published Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | 11:02 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | 4:50 p.m.

The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners agreed to a settlement Wednesday that will lightly punish a doctor in exchange for his testimony against two other physicians, including Dr. Dipak Desai, majority owner of the clinic that caused last year's Hepatitis C outbreak.

Dr. Eladio Carrera will pay a $15,000 fine -- a maximum of $5,000 possible for three counts of bringing the medical profession into disrepute -- and be on probation for two years as part of the agreement.

"Our investigation shows he has a substantially different responsibility for the infections than the other two physicians involved," said Louis Ling, executive director of the medical board. "He is willing to testify truthfully against the other two doctors and give us a context for the case that nobody else can give us."

Ling said he could not comment on Carrera's testimony against Desai and Dr. Clifford Carroll, the physician allegedly responsible for allowing Hepatitis C to be transmitted from one patient to others.

It's believed the disease was transmitted when nurses reused syringes and single-use medicine vials, thereby contaminating the anesthetic that was given to patients. About 50,000 people who had procedures at the clinic, Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, were told to be tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

A temporary restraining order and injunction that prevented Carrera from practicing medicine is lifted as part of the agreement.

Ling said that the settlement is necessary because the medical board owes it to the public to make sure the whole truth comes to light, so "we can show the public what happened, who is responsible and hold the parties responsible for the acts."