Center For Reproductive Health

In private discussions with prosecutors, former UC Irvine fertility doctor Sergio C. Stone admitted that he and his two partners conspired to overbill insurance companies so that they could reap extra profits, according to court papers filed Thursday. Stone told prosecutors that he and other physicians at the now defunct Center for Reproductive Health would routinely charge fees for an assistant surgeon, even when none participated in an operation.

Federal prosecutors charged Tuesday that Dr. Sergio Stone and his two partners at UC Irvine's Center for Reproductive Health were "partners in crime" who lied on medical documents to dupe insurance companies and reap extra profits. But Stone's defense attorney told a U.S. District Court jury that "the wrong person is on trial" and insisted that his client has broken no laws.

Federal prosecutors charged Tuesday that Dr. Sergio Stone and his two partners at UC Irvine's Center for Reproductive Health were "partners in crime" who lied on medical documents to dupe insurance companies and reap extra profits. But Stone's defense attorney told a U.S. District Court jury that "the wrong person is on trial" and insisted that his client has broken no laws.

Settlements totaling $4.4 million have been approved in another 21 cases brought by former patients against UC Irvine's once-acclaimed fertility clinic. The settlements, the latest in the scandal involving allegations of stolen or mishandled eggs, were approved by Orange County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Thomas. Individually, they range from nothing (a waiver of court costs) to $650,000--the single highest amount to date--and average more than $200,000 apiece.

Dr. Sergio C. Stone is one of three partners blamed for the UC Irvine fertility scandal, but he is the first--and may be the only one--to be brought to trial on criminal charges. But although opening statements in Stone's trial are scheduled to be made today in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, jurors won't hear about the nationwide scandal in which human reproductive eggs and embryos were allegedly stolen and then transplanted into other women or shipped off to medical research laboratories.

Dr. Sergio C. Stone, one of three partners blamed for the UC Irvine fertility scandal, is the first--and may remain the only--to be brought to trial on criminal charges. But when opening statements are made in the trial, scheduled to open today in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, jurors will hear nothing of the nationwide scandal in which human reproductive eggs and embryos were stolen and then transplanted into other women or shipped off to medical research laboratories.

Women and couples who sued the University of California over alleged misuse of eggs by three former UC Irvine fertility doctors have agreed to cash settlements ranging from $5,000 to $500,000, according to court documents made public Friday. The 41 settlements, approved by Orange County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Thomas, total about $6 million. Thomas unsealed the settlements after the state Supreme Court agreed with his earlier ruling that they must be made public.

Women and couples who sued the University of California over alleged misuse of their eggs by three former UC Irvine fertility doctors have agreed to cash settlements ranging from $5,000 to $500,000, according to court documents made public late Friday afternoon. The 41 settlements, approved by Orange County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Thomas, total about $6 million. Thomas unsealed the settlements after the state Supreme Court agreed with his earlier ruling that they must be made public.

Denying a request to seal the files of some 50 couples in the UC Irvine fertility scandal, a Superior Court judge Monday set Aug. 15 as the date on which he will approve the couples' $10-million settlement with the university and release the files. Lawyers for the couples had requested that Judge Robert E. Thomas keep the settlements sealed, citing privacy concerns. Instead, Thomas ordered the lawyers to submit details, including the plaintiffs' names and the dollar amounts they are to receive.

The California Supreme Court refused to hear arguments Wednesday that the privacy rights of couples sharing a $10-million settlement of their claims against UCI's fertility clinic outweigh public interest in how taxpayer funds are spent. The ruling means that details of settlements made with the 50 couples earlier this month should become public.