The Las Vegas-area gastroenterologist indicted on 28 felony counts related to a hepatitis C outbreak at his endoscopy clinic pleaded not guilty on Friday in his first court appearance since the outbreak was discovered in early 2008.
Dipak Desai, MD, released on $1 million bail, entered the plea via his attorney, Richard Wright, who told District Judge Donald Mosley that the physician's speaking and cognitive abilities were impaired due to a stroke he suffered in July 2008. Through Mr. Wright, Dr. Desai said he understood the 28 charges against him, which include racketeering, insurance fraud and patient neglect. Specifically, Dr. Desai is charged with encouraging the unsafe injection practices that infected 7 patients with the hepatitis C virus.
Keith Mathahs, CRNA, also pleaded not guilty to the charges. He remains in custody after Judge Mosley refused to reduce his $500,000 bail. The other co-defendant in the case, Ronald Ernest Lakeman, CRNA, was arrested last week in Columbus, Ga., and was scheduled to make his first court appearance in Las Vegas today.
The judge set a March 14, 2011, trial date in Clark County District Court, with lawyers for both sides estimating it could take a total of 5 weeks for them to make their case.
Early pre-trial proceedings are expected to address the status of Dr. Desai's health and his competency to stand trial.
Irene Tsikitas
