Twenty-six couples from across California have filed a civil lawsuit against fertility doctor Dr. Brian Acacio, alleging he relocated their embryos without consent and held them hostage. According to legal filings, Acacio's medical license was suspended by the California Medical Board in December following accusations of cocaine use and a mental condition impairing his ability to practice medicine.
Key Takeaways
Twenty-six couples have filed a lawsuit against Southern California fertility doctor Dr. Brian Acacio, alleging he relocated their embryos without consent and held them hostage. The lawsuit claims Acacio failed to disclose his suspended medical license due to drug use and continued practicing medicine illegally.
- Twenty-six couples sue Dr. Brian Acacio for allegedly moving their embryos without consent
- Acacio's medical license was suspended due to cocaine use and a mental condition impairing his ability to practice
- Couples discovered the relocation when scheduling embryo transfers or through social media
- Acacio refused to return embryos unless patients signed a release agreement absolving him of liability
- The lawsuit aims to ensure the safe transfer of embryos and hold Acacio accountable
Many patients who spent thousands of dollars for fertility treatments discovered their embryos had been moved only when they tried to schedule a transfer or learned about it through social media. Attorney Benjamin Ikuta, representing the couples, stated that Acacio refused to return the embryos unless patients signed a release agreement absolving him of liability.
The lawsuit alleges that Acacio continued to practice medicine and perform procedures even after his license was suspended. Around the same time, Acacio was forced to close his medical practice in Orange County and relocate his clinic to Bakersfield due to unpaid rent exceeding $243,000.
Monique Santos, one of the plaintiffs, expressed her distress at not knowing about Acacio's investigations and license suspension. She underwent egg retrieval that resulted in three viable embryos but faced delays and shifting explanations for the transfer procedure. The lawsuit aims to ensure the lawful, expeditious but safe transfer of these embryos back to where they belong.
The Medical Board of California received a complaint alleging Acacio was a daily cocaine user. Investigators visited his office in February 2025 and requested a urine sample, which he refused to provide. A psychiatrist evaluated Acacio and found he had a mental condition affecting his ability to practice medicine safely. In early October, Acacio agreed to an interim order imposing restrictions on his license but tested positive for marijuana in December.
Attorneys allege that Acacio performed medical procedures after his license was suspended and refused to return patients' embryos unless they signed a sweeping release agreement. The couples named in the lawsuit are unsure whether their embryos are even viable due to the risks associated with transporting them.
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