Cosmetic Surgeon Stripped of License
The Medical Board of California, levying its harshest punishment, has stripped the license of a nationally known cosmetic surgeon in Newport Beach for his fraudulent treatment of a disgruntled former Mrs. California and another patient, officials said.
Administrative Law Judge Rosalynn M. Chapman found that Dr. Michael Elam, 42, who gained national prominence in helping redo the face of comedian Phyllis Diller, had doctored medical records to obtain fraudulent insurance claims for the two patients.
In a decision adopted by the full board, Chapman wrote: “Elam is dishonest and has no compunction about lying under oath. . . . (He) has shown no sorrow, remorse or contrition for his conduct, and it is, thus, unlikely that he will voluntarily change that conduct.”
An attorney for Elam, who was out of the country, promised to appeal.
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