|
A delayed sentence was given to WomanCare of Southfield PC following a plea of
no contest to a single charge of improperly filing medical records.
The decision was made by 46th District Court Judge William Richards during a
Wednesday hearing involving allegations patient records were improperly
disposed.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office had issued a warrant against the clinic,
lodging several misdemeanor charges.
The charges stemmed from allegations that 12 individual women treated at the
clinic had their medical records improperly disposed.
Defense attorney Victor Norris said the delayed sentence means prosecutors
agreed to drop the remaining charges if there is no evidence of continued
illegal activity at the end of six months.
Norris said the clinic has no record of prior contact with law enforcement or
action taken against it by state health officials.
Lathrup Village Police began investigating the clinic, at 28505 Southfield Road,
after the anti-abortion organization Citizens for a Pro-Life Society searched
the Dumpster early last year.
Organization officials gave police what they believed to be evidence of patient
records not being properly disposed.
Despite questioning the legality of the organization’s methods, Norris said his
client will not be taking legal action and the clinic’s owner, Dr. Alberto
Hodari, respects their right to protest.
Monica Migliorino Miller, director of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, said she
was disappointed in Richards’ decision, saying a stronger action should have
been taken against the clinic and Hodari.
“While abortion might be legal, all the other stuff he did is not legal,” she
said.
|