EXCLUSIVE: Betty Ford Center Reports Fired Worker To Attorney General In Lindsay Lohan Scandal
Posted on Dec 22, 2010 @ 08:19PM
A lawyer for the Betty Ford Center formally contacted the California Attorney General’s office late Tuesday, reporting the actions of its fired worker in the Lindsay Lohan case as a possible HIPAA violation, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.
Dawn Holland was fired by the rehab center Tuesday as RadarOnline.com first reported. In a statement, Betty Ford said Holland "violated strict confidentiality guidelines and laws by publicly identifying patients in a media interview and by disclosing a privileged document."
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Holland admitted to RadarOnline.com that TMZ paid her at least $10,000 for her information on Lindsay Lohan and she also gave them a document disclosing what happened the night she says Lindsay attacked her.
Now, Holland and TMZ could be facing a criminal investigation for violating HIPAA.
When contacted by RadarOnline.com, the treatment center's rep Russ Patrick said "no comment." However, a second source confirmed that the story was accurate.
A source with direct knowledge of the situation told RadarOnline.com: “The Betty Ford Center is extremely concerned about this situation and taking it very seriously. That’s why they immediately reported this to the California Attorney General’s offfice.”
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“Yes ma'am,” Holland told a RadarOnline.com reporter Tuesday night when asked if she was paid by TMZ to speak out about her clash with Lohan in the early hours of December 12.
“I’m not going to say (how much).”
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But when questioned by RadarOnline.com if “it was somewhere between $10,000 and $15,000”, Holland said: “If I give you a ballpark then... well, then... yeah (it was between $10K and $15K).”
RadarOnline.com spoke to her by phone in an unpaid interview. Shortly after that phone call Holland hired attorney Keith Davidson.
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Lohan is the subject of a police investigation for her confrontation with Holland. But Holland, a healthcare worker, is governed by federal HIPAA laws and receiving payment from TMZ while giving them information and confidential documents could lead to a federal criminal investigation against her and the gossip Web site. TMZ has not returned calls from RadarOnline.com for comment.
Holland worked as a clinical technician at the sober house treating Lindsay.
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The Daily Juice
Can someone explain the difference between breaking the HIPPA law and talking about a police report? Lindsay call 911. At that point she had to talk to the police and say why 911 was called. What I hear is that she is iterating the police report.
Posted Thu, 12/23/2010 - 1:16am
HIPAA is difficult to get around, even if you're attacked. The trick is keeping your mouth shut accept when dealing with LE. Holland got mad and tried to defend herself in the court of public opinion. That's what got her in trouble.
Posted Fri, 12/24/2010 - 5:47pm
Ibame the BFC for failing to debrief their employee and reminding her of her HIPAA obligations. This would not have kept Holland from going to authorities on her own but the interview and release of internal papers was a bad move.
Posted Fri, 12/24/2010 - 5:51pm
Facts are, Lindsay voilated curfew hours, refused tests and assaulted the technician.Which if any violation will get her thrown in jail. BF voilated the court order by not reporting it all in the first place?
Posted Thu, 12/23/2010 - 12:35am
Since Harvey paid her to talk, will he be her representing attorney in court.
Posted Wed, 12/22/2010 - 9:59pm
Smokescreen to cover up the fact that Lindsay refused breathalizer. This way, it all gets thrown out and Lindsay goes on her merry little way. Crush, crush, stomp, stomp.
Posted Wed, 12/22/2010 - 8:41pm
Lindsay didn't refuse the breathalyzer. They have the whole thing on tape.
Posted Wed, 12/22/2010 - 10:58pm
Where the heck is Dina Doughbrain tonight? Why isn't she here braying about how perfect Lindsay is and how wrong everyone else in the universe is?
Posted Wed, 12/22/2010 - 8:04pm
Let's clarify one thing- HIPAA covers privileged medical information. Incident reports don't fall under the same protection. Though they are covered under the expanded privacy laws enacted by the state.
Posted Wed, 12/22/2010 - 5:28pm
Not a HIPAA violation. She was talking about a battery committed against her and a police and incident report on the crime against her. A crime the clinic tried to cover up for the "it's never my fault" Lohan. Wonder why? Paid off by Lindsay?
Posted Wed, 12/22/2010 - 5:27pm