FLICKR, AARON LOGANDuring his tenure as dean of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC), Carmen Puliafito was a respected eye surgeon and professor as well as a highly successful fundraiser. He regularly attended national conventions and training seminars, and coauthored more than 60 journal articles. But he also had other pastimes.
Last Monday (July 17), an investigation by the Los Angeles Times revealed that the doctor led a double life, keeping the company of criminals at drug-fueled parties where he took methamphetamine and other illicit substances. The report described details of photos and videos of Puliafito taking drugs and partying with much younger acquaintances in hotels rooms, cars, and the dean’s office at USC.
In March 2016, Puliafito was present in a hotel room where a 21-year-old woman overdosed on the date-rape drug, gamma-hydroxybutyrate. According to the Times, an anonymous witness phoned USC president Max Nikias’s office a week after this event and told two employees about the incident.
Puliafito resigned his position as dean a week and a half later, but stayed on as USC ...
