Prominent Plastic Surgeon Acquitted Of Charges Of Videotaping Patients

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Dr. Lance Everett Wyatt, a prominent plastic surgeon known to national television audiences, has been found not guilty after being accused of secretly videotaping female patients during examinations.

Dr. Wyatt was arrested in Aug. 2012. Still in scrubs as he had just performed surgery, the doctor found himself in the back of a squad car. As he explains to CBS2's Brittney Hopper, the ordeal left him confused and shocked.

"Suddenly, I'm in the back of a squad car with handcuffs in scrubs with blood on it," he said.

Dr. Wyatt faced six misdemeanor counts, four of which related to allegations that he secretly recorded patients, and two counts of sexual battery and battery. He was acquitted following a ten-week trial.

Winston McKesson, Wyatt's attorney, says the camera was in the examination room because of a recent hire who was aware she was being monitored.

McKesson says that when another patient came in, the camera accidentally turned on. He says that it was the recording that in turn helped Dr. Wyatt's defense.

"The jury found that there was no intentional, un-consented videotaping in this case," McKesson said.

The City Attorney's office told CBS2 that they will no longer be pursuing the case but that the medical board will continue to investigate.

"I think that it was a very traumatic experience for most of us. Certainly it was for myself. I'm really focused on just moving forward at this point," Dr. Wyatt said. "It's given, at least me, a sense of commitment. It's really made me appreciate what I have, how quickly it can be taken away from you."