Baylor Scott & White Health sued Dr. Peter McCullough in Dallas County District Court over claims that he broke a February separation agreement made by both parties. Baylor alleges that McCullough continues to use his former Baylor titles, including Vice Chief of Internal Medicine at Baylor University Medical Center, which violates the separation agreement.
According to the lawsuit, McCullough, 58, and Baylor Scott & White Health had negotiated the confidential agreement in which the doctor agreed not to describe himself as being affiliated with or employed by Baylor or any of its entities.
Baylor alleges that the doctor has breached the terms of that agreement several times in media interviews, online biographies, and other places. Court records show that Baylor is seeking more than $1 million compensation and an injunction stopping McCullough from further misuse of titles and claimed affiliations.
Clinton Mikel, McCullough’s attorney, has released a statement on Thursday defending his client. He claimed that the separation agreement limits what his client can say while calling the lawsuit frivolous and a “politically motivated attempt to silence Dr. McCullough.”
“Every single instance referenced by Baylor is something said/printed by a third party with no encouragement from Dr. McCullough,” he said in the statement. “Dr. McCullough does not and cannot control third parties.”
Dr. Peter McCullough has had various controversial positions relating to the coronavirus. The Dallas physician claimed that people under the age of 50 with no health risks do not need the COVID-19 vaccines.
Earlier this month, while on a Fox News show hosted by Laura Ingraham, McCullough claimed that the vaccines don’t work against the delta variant, and that there’s no reason to get vaccinated.
According to a written statement released by Baylor, McCullough’s views don’t represent those of Baylor. “The lawsuit was filed to enforce this separation and avoid public confusion,” the statement said. “We take very seriously our responsibility to be a trusted source of medical information in the communities we serve.”