Earlier today, the Chattanooga Times Free Press obtained the transcript from Congressman Scott DesJarlais' 2001 divorce trial. While much of the talk centers around the fanatically pro-life congressman endorsing his then-wife's two abortions, that revelation is the least of DesJarlais' problems. DesJarlais admitted under oath to having no fewer than six sexual relationships with people with whom he came in contact while chief of staff at a local hospital--including at least two patients.
Obtained by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the couple’s 2001 trial transcript also confirms DesJarlais had sexual relationships with at least two patients, three coworkers and a drug representative while he was chief of staff at Grandview Medical Center in Jasper, Tenn. During one affair with a female patient, DesJarlais prescribed her drugs, gave her an $875 watch and bought her a plane ticket to Las Vegas, records show.
Read the full transcript
here. It contains some pretty shocking details about DesJarlais' trysts. After getting a 24-year-old patient pregnant, he had his wife record a conversation with the woman to get her to admit she wasn't really pregnant after all. DesJarlais has claimed on his Facebook page that his wife recorded the conversation without his knowledge. He also admitted to having a relationship with a patient for whom he prescribed several medications, and even tried to get her to come to Vegas with him.
The Tennessee Democratic Party tried to get the transcript before the election, but it was still being typed at the time. Nonetheless, it's hard to imagine that DesJarlais will be in Congress for much longer. The only question in my mind is whether he'll decline to take his seat for a second term.
Chances are that when (not if) DesJarlais goes back home to Jasper, he might want to start winding up his medical practice. The AMA code of medical ethics is unambiguous on this--"Sexual contact that occurs concurrent with the patient-physician relationship constitutes sexual misconduct." Considering that he admitted under oath to two sexual relationships with patients, to my mind he might as well mail in his medical license.