CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — As the Guardian reported on Tuesday, Dr. Gus Barrazueta, M.D., an orthopedics surgeon at Adena Health System, was terminated from his position following a series of allegations involving sexual misconduct and admission of illegal drug use. The termination comes after months of scrutiny and investigations into his behavior.
Barrazueta’s dismissal stems from a cascade of revelations that have rocked the local mega health system. Text messages exchanged between the doctor and a hospital vendor, obtained by The Guardian, have exposed his admission of engaging in illegal drug activities during a recent visit to Las Vegas. In the messages, Barrazueta candidly admitted to “doing too many drugs and drinking too much,” shedding light on a previously undisclosed aspect of his personal life.
Adena’s public relations team has refused to comment on the allegations, however, deputies continue to field multiple criminal reports against numerous doctors at the hospital. Last week, Adena’s Chief Executive, Jeff Graham, sat down with a Columbus television station and dodged questions about Barrazueta, only calling the situation “sad.” The hospital’s multiple scandals have called Graham’s leadership into question by many, including board members.
The Guardian has obtained the police reports that led to Barrazueta’s filing, along with the text messages. Read the police reports and text messages below: