NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced a court order Thursday that granted the state's request to freeze the personal assets of individuals involved with HRC Medical Centers Inc.
On Oct. 8, Cooper's office filed a lawsuit against HRC Medical Centers Inc., HRC Management Midwest LLC, and the companies' owners, Don Hale and Dan Hale. Don and Dan Hale's assets were frozen and placed in receivership under an order on May 29.
On Thursday, Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Amanda McClendon granted a request to freeze Dixie and Bonnie Hale's personal assets as well. Dixie and Bonnie Hale are the wives of Don and Dan Hale.
"We are pleased with the court's rulings," Cooper said. "We urge consumers to consult with their primary healthcare providers first if they are taking, have taken, or are considering hormone treatment therapies of this kind."
The ruling followed settlements with Midwest Restorative Health LLC, BioLifeCycle Medical Centers LLC and Michael Montmurro, doing business as MadMac Consulting LLC. The settling parties agreed to collectively pay more than $245,000 into a receivership estate and never again offer hormone replacement therapy in Tennessee.
HRC Medical and its owners allegedly made deceptive advertising claims related to the alternative treatment of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. HRC Medical's patients were allegedly not told of possible risks and side effects of the therapy, including breast cancer, endometrial cancer, strokes, heart attacks, psychological changes and possible long-term or permanent disfigurement, among other adverse reactions.
The matter has not been adjudicated at trial and Don and Dan Hale have not admitted wrongdoing.
Midwest Restorative previously operated as HRC Medical's former Memphis clinic and BioLifeCycle took over HRC Medical's wholly-owned clinics in December.
Tenn. AG announces court order to freeze assets in HRC Medical case
