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District court limits dentist’s testimony at trial
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Posted on Aug 10 2011
The federal court granted Tuesday the request of Dental Care Inc. and its owners to exclude as evidence allegations of insurance fraud, money laundering, and other issues during the trial of a lawsuit filed against them by their former dentist.
U.S. District Court for the NMI visiting judge Mark Bennett said that Dr. Masha Maxim and her witnesses should not attempt to introduce, admit into evidence, or mention at any time during the trial allegations of insurance fraud, improper distribution of prescription pain medication, money laundering, and identity theft.
Bennett said these “bad acts” are not relevant to Maxim’s claims in her complaint against the dental clinic.
Michael Dotts, lawyer for Dental Care and its owners, Rodney Stewart and Scot Thompson, asserted that Maxim raised these topics at her deposition. Dotts said Maxim showed no evidence supporting any of these topics, and that these topics are not relevant to the issues in the case. Dotts said his clients are concerned that Maxim will try to inject these topics during her testimony.
Maxim, a Canadian dentist, is suing Dental Care and its owners for terminating her and for allegedly failing to make good on their promises.
Thompson filed a counterclaim against Maxim for allegedly assaulting him in the clinic.
