Feb 11, 2009 11:40 am US/Pacific
Kidney Divorce Case: Doctor's Ex Backs Wife
Dr. Richard Batista Claims Wife Dawnell Had An Affair; He Wants Organ Returned Or $1.5 Million In Compensation
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Dr. Richard Batista is demanding his wife either return the kidney he donated to her or pay him $1.5 million.
CBS
The former girlfriend of the Long Island, N.Y. doctor who is suing his estranged wife over the kidney he donated to her has come forward to back up his wife's story, reports CBS station WCBS-TV.
Pamela Rathburn-Ray is a nursing professor subpoenaed by the courts to testify on February 26 in the sensational divorce battle between vascular surgeon Richard Batista and his wife Dawnell, recipient of the doctor's donated kidney.
Batista wants the kidney returned, or to be paid $1.5 million.
"Ridiculous, just a ploy for money, putting a dollar figure on a kidney so he can negotiate his divorce terms, it's public humiliation for Dawnell," Rathburn-Ray said. "Calling her a cheater? This is a man who cheats."
Ray says she ought to know. She was once engaged to the doctor 20 years ago.
She gave a deposition and Tuesday shared some details of her sworn testimony with CBS 2HD, saying she that she was regularly beaten, stalked and threatened by Batista-even in the hospital where they worked.
"I went down to the lobby, my face was badly beaten, They immediately called the police who took me to Lenox Hill Hospital," Rathburn-Ray said.
In her affidavit, she says she came forward to protect battered and abused women from predatory conduct, and will testify in behalf of Dawnell Batista regarding the doctor's alleged past behaviors and motivations.
"I'm hoping this is a public forum education for women. Anybody that's in this situation, there's help out there. They don't have to live through what Dawn and I did. Hopefully they will get the counseling and not repeat the cycle," Rathburn-Ray said.
"Dr. Batista and his lawyer don't have a leg to stand on. This is a publicity stunt of the worst order," said John Ray, attorney for Rathburn-Ray. He will ask a judge to issue an order of protection to remove Dr. Batista from the courtroom during her testimony.
The doctor and his attorney Dominic Barbara responded Tuesday night, saying stay tuned. On Wednesday, they will hold their own blockbuster presser to refute the testimony.
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