'King of Collagen' Michael Jackson Doc Sues Over Rival's Comments to Tabloid
A dermatologist to former King of Pop Michael Jackson has sued a rival California physician for libel, contending that the doctor’s comments to a British tabloid newspaper has harmed his reputation and Beverly Hills medical practice as the “King of Collagen.”
Dr. Arnold Klein alleges in the defamation suit he filed today in Los Angeles County Superior Court that another celebrity physician, cosmetic surgeon Steven Hoefflin, falsely claimed to the Sun that Klein had instructed Jackson’s personal physician, Conrad Murray, about the use of propofol, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The powerful intravenous anesthetic has been implicated in Jackson’s death, which authorities reportedly are investigating as a homicide. However, Murray is the only Jackson physician considered a subject of the investigation, and Klein says he had no contact with Murray and nothing to do with any propofol that may have been administered to the famous singer before his death June 25, the newspaper recounts.
Klein attributes Hoefflin’s reported comments to the tabloid as a rival’s intentional attempt to damage his practice.
In an e-mail, Hoefflin tells the Times that he is “very surprised” by Klein’s suit and expects it to give him the right to question Klein about “investigational evidence the authorities and I possess.”
