Pediatrician to Forfeit His License Over Diluted Vaccines

A Marin County pediatrician agreed Monday to forfeit his medical license to avoid prosecution on felony charges that he diluted vaccines meant to protect his young patients against polio, whooping cough and other diseases.

Dr. William Liebman continued to maintain his innocence, but said in a news release issued by his attorney that he wanted to put a halt to the criminal case before it took a further toll on his “emotional and financial resources.”

Although charges against Liebman were dropped, the doctor’s medical corporation entered a plea of adulterating drugs with the intent to defraud. Liebman said he wanted to take responsibility for any conduct that might have occurred on “his watch.”

The case drew national attention after prosecutors in the well-heeled county charged Liebman in November with three felony charges of fraud and tampering with vaccines, which they said he diluted to save money.

His patients were sharply divided. Dozens joined a class-action lawsuit that remains unsettled. But scores of others stuck by the doctor, insisting “Dr. Bill” was not guilty. They held candlelight vigils and plastered the walls of his San Rafael office with laudatory letters.

“I feel really, really angry,” said Linda Curry, a Liebman supporter, after learning of the plea bargain Monday. “This man has been a pillar of the community--he’s been available above and beyond call of duty for his patients.”

Others suggested the doctor got what he deserved and are happy to see him out of medicine. Patricia Henle, an attorney whose son was a Liebman patient, said she hopes more parents will now get their children tested to ensure they have been properly immunized.

“If there’s any one thing that can come out of this,” she said, “it’s that every single child treated by Dr. Liebman needs to be tested.”

Improper immunizations put children “at serious risk” of future health problems. Even rare illnesses can strike unexpectedly if not held at bay by proper immunizations, experts say.

If convicted, Liebman would have faced as much as six years in prison. Under terms of the plea arrangement, his medical practice will shut down on Aug. 15. Curry said Liebman has said he plans to move to Southern California, where other family members live.

Prosecutors in the Marin County district attorney’s office said as many as 2,500 children may have been affected. Investigators searched the doctor’s offices in June and seized 21 vials of vaccines. A federal lab found that nine had been adulterated, according to the affidavit.