Exec Sues Over Firing
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LA HABRA — Dr. Albert E. Barnett, who was fired as chief executive of Friendly Hills Medical Group last month, has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the health-care company’s new owner.
The complaint, filed in Orange County Superior Court, followed a lawsuit brought by Long Beach-based MedPartners Inc. last month accusing Barnett and two other former Friendly Hills executives of breach of contract and business fraud.
La Habra-based Friendly Hills, founded by Barnett, manages 45 medical clinics, a hospital and doctors offices throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. MedPartners acquired Friendly Hills’ parent company, Caremark International Inc., in September. Barnett’s claim, which accuses MedPartners of breach of contract, discrimination, defamation and other allegations, seeks more than $100 million in damages.
MedPartners executive Mark Wagar said the suit is “without merit” and called the action “an attempt by Dr. Barnett to reinsert himself into an organization to which he’s been extremely disloyal.”
An attorney for Gloria Mayer and Dr. Thomas Mayer, the two other former Friendly Hills executives accused of wrongdoing by MedPartners, said they will soon respond with a separate cross-complaint against the company.
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