NV: (Gov) Gibbons may support criminal charges

[flashl]

Knowingly endangering is key to crime

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Jim Gibbons said Monday if Las Vegas medical care providers knowingly reused syringes or other items at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada or at other medical facilities, criminal charges should be filed.

"If they knowingly endangered lives of people, that does constitute a criminal act," Gibbons said following a news conference in his capitol office to discuss the state's response to the discovery of risky medical practices at the Shadow Lane facility and at other surgery centers in the state.

Gibbons stopped short of suggesting that charges should be brought at this time against Dr. Dipak Desai, the majority owner of the Endoscopy Center under fire for unsafe medical practices, or others at the facility.

"I don't know all the facts and circumstances, whether it was an accidental act, an intentional act or a negligent act," he said. "That is yet to be determined."

If it is shown that medical personnel deliberately took steps that exposed people to hepatitis C or other infectious diseases, then "those individuals responsible should be held accountable," Gibbons said.

Review Journal

Locals are saying that news accounts reporting 40,000 effected is low.