Lamar Odom is facing possible felony cocaine use criminal charges and prosecution in the aftermath of his drug-induced collapse at a Nevada brothel. He has been moved to a private rehab center – and employees at the Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas may be fired for accessing the athlete’s medical records and attempting to leak photos of Lamar to the press.
A source at the Nye County Sheriff’s Department told TMZ that Odom’s blood test is being sent to the Nye County District Attorney’s office. The former NBA player may face felony charges after allegedly snorting cocaine while partying with prostitutes at the Love Ranch.
But even if he’s found guilty he probably won’t serve any jail time. The felony cocaine use charge is punishable by up to four years in prison. However, that sentence is not for first time offender – and that’s exactly what Lamar is considered in Nye County.
And if Lamar Odom’s personal tragedy hasn’t received enough exposure –employees at the Sunrise Hospital in Nevada tried to leak photos of him to the media and some tried to access his medical records. This is a violation of HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
A representative for Sunrise Hospital confirmed to TMZ – “We take all patients privacy very seriously and follow all HIPAA policies in compliance with federal regulations.” All hospital employees are well aware of the HIPAA regulations and most medical facilities review the policy on a yearly basis with employees.
Anyone at Sunrise Hospital found to have been in violation of the federal regulations regarding patient confidentiality could face termination of employment as well civil and criminal charges.
While all this is going on Lamar Odom has been moved to undisclosed facility according to a report from ABC News – and faces up to six months of intensive treatment in order to be able to walk again without assistance.
Even then there’s no guarantee he’ll regain the ability to use 100 percent of his motor skills. Due to kidney failure Lamar’s doctors are monitoring his kidney function to determine if he needs a transplant or a lifetime of dialysis treatment.
What do you think of the possibility that Lamar may be charged with felony cocaine use but won’t serve any jail time? Do you think that the employees who accessed Odom’s medical files without permission should be fired and possibly face civil and criminal charges?
Lamar Odom by Fame Flynet
