LOS ANGELES — The president of the University of Southern California says officials will “examine and address” a newspaper report that the recently resigned dean of the medical school abused drugs and associated with criminals.
In a letter Tuesday, USC President C.L. Max Nikias acknowledged concern on campus following the Los Angeles Times report that Dr. Carmen Puliafito was seen on video smoking methamphetamine.
The Times reported Monday that Puliafito kept company with a circle of criminals and addicts.
Puliafito, 66, led the Keck School of Medicine before resigning in 2016. He remained on the Keck faculty and continued to represent the university at public events as recently as Saturday.
On Monday, USC said Puliafito was no longer seeing patients and was on leave. Attempts to reach Puliafito were unsuccessful Tuesday.
