Thursday, 27 March 2008

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Rep: Priscilla Presley was a victim of bogus doctor

Elvis Presley's ex admits falling victim to unqualified plastic surgeon

Dancing With the Stars contestant Priscilla Presley is making news for something other than her footwork, acknowledging that she had once fallen victim to an unqualified plastic surgeon identified as Dr Daniel Serrano.

In a statement released on Tuesday, a rep for the 62-year-old Presley said, "Priscilla Presley was one of many documented victims of Dr Serrano. An investigation which uncovered his misconduct ultimately lead to his imprisonment. Ms Presley dealt with this matter years ago and everything is well."

In November 2004, federal agents arrested Serrano, who was only a nurse in the US, and charged him with importing and distributing a drug that was a combination of synthetic collagen and tiny solid beads that was legal in some countries but not approved by the FDA, PEOPLE reported at the time.

"He's a very charming guy," Ellen Lavinthal, who sometimes availed herself of Serrano's services, told PEOPLE in Dec. 2004, "and he had a lot of fabulous endorsements from the women he had been treating." She added: "He's very good at taking advantage of women."

In 2006, Serrano pleaded guilty in federal court in Los Angeles to conspiracy, smuggling and use of unapproved drugs, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.

TMZ.com first reported Presley's involvement with the doctor.

Monica Rizzo and Stephen M. Silverman