Seattle Plastic Surgery Provider Ordered to Pay $5 Million for Fake Reviews and Deceptive Practices
Seattle Plastic Surgery Provider to Pay $5 Million Over Fake Reviews and Patient Intimidation
In a landmark settlement, a Seattle-area plastic surgery provider, Allure Esthetic, has been ordered to pay a hefty sum of $5 million to the state attorney general’s office and thousands of its patients. This decision comes after allegations surfaced that the company engaged in deceptive practices, including posting fake positive reviews and threatening patients over negative ones.
Owned by Dr. Javad Sajan, Allure Esthetic found itself at the center of a lawsuit that accused the company of not only manipulating online reviews but also engaging in unethical practices such as rigging local "best doctor" competitions, withholding patient rebates, and altering before-and-after photos of procedures. In a more disturbing revelation, it was found that over 10,000 patients were coerced into signing nondisclosure agreements, effectively silencing any dissatisfaction with the services received.
The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General Bob Ferguson in December 2022, painted a grim picture of a healthcare provider willing to go to great lengths to maintain a facade of excellence and reliability. Dr. Sajan, in particular, was implicated in personally authorizing incentives for patients to remove negative comments, a move that further tainted the integrity of patient feedback.
As part of the settlement reached through a federal consent decree, Allure Esthetic is now mandated to undergo an independent audit of its consumer rebate program by a third-party forensic accounting firm. This step is crucial in identifying patients owed rebates and ensuring the company’s compliance with the consent decree over the next decade. Failure to adhere to these terms could result in civil penalties of up to $125,000 per violation.
The resolution of this case marks a significant victory for consumer protection, with approximately $1.5 million allocated for restitution to around 21,000 affected individuals. Victims forced into signing illegal nondisclosure agreements will receive compensation, as will those who paid nonrefundable consultation fees under duress.
The remaining $3.5 million of the settlement will support the Attorney General’s office in covering the costs associated with the lawsuit and facilitating the ongoing monitoring and enforcement of the consent decree. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in the healthcare industry, particularly within the realm of plastic and cosmetic surgery.
Allure Esthetic, operating under various names including Alderwood Surgical Center and Seattle Plastic Surgery, offers a wide range of services. However, this settlement underscores the critical need for patients to remain vigilant and for providers to conduct their business with honesty and integrity. The actions taken by the Attorney General’s office aim to protect the rights of patients and ensure that those seeking plastic surgery services in the Seattle area can do so with confidence in the credibility and ethics of their chosen provider.