Filmmaker threatens suit over ECRMC CEO’s remarks
EL CENTRO –Roy Dorantes says he is prepared to file suit against the city, El Centro Regional Medical Center and hospital CEO Dr. Adolphe Edward over public comments the latter made that the local filmmaker believes mischaracterized the circumstances under which he received the COVID-19 vaccine a week ago and thus damaged his reputation.
Dorantes said a letter of intent will be delivered to the three parties today demanding a public retraction and apology from Edward over comments he made during Thursday’s COVID-19 press conference organized by the Imperial County Public Health Department.
Responding to a question from a reporter regarding how Dorantes and Imperial Irrigation District Division 1 Director Alex Cardenas came to be vaccinated at an ERCMC clinic the evening of Jan. 3, Edward said Dorantes had re- entered the clinic without his knowledge after being asked to leave.
Dorantes said it is true Edward asked him to leave because he originally had a camera and was filming, and he complied. However, he added, it is a mischaracterization to suggest he snuck back into the clinic
and was vaccinated on the sly. Dorantes, who is one of the founders and regular volunteers with Vo Medical Clinic’s Meals to Heal program for COVID patients, said he was met downstairs at the ECRMC Medical Office Building by Dr. Tien Vo himself, who invited him to join other
Meals to Heal program volunteers to receive their vaccinations.
Dorantes said he believes Edward singled him out and “threw [him] under the bus” amid public pushback over reports that certain current and past government officials and others were being administered the vaccine despite not qualifying under Phase 1a, Tier 1 of the state and county vaccination plan ( the county has since OK’d expanding vaccinations to Tier 2).
Yet, Dorantes added, when he returned to the clinic to receive his vaccination, Edward was there, saw him return and joked with him.
Also, at Thursday’s press briefing, Edward explained Cardenas’ presence at the vaccination clinic as being connected to his work as a volunteer delivering meals for Vo’s Meals to Heal program, which is the same reason Dorantes was there. When this newspaper spoke to Dorantes on Sunday, he was just returning from delivering meals to COVID patients in Niland.
“So I don’t understand why he (Edward) chose to crucify me,” Dorantes said.
Dorantes said the characterization that he did something sneaky in receiving the vaccine has been damaging to his personal and professional reputation. He said he has been subjected to angry messages and even threats online.
“I can’t allow this to stand,” he said.
The city and others have seven days to respond to the letter of intent, Dorantes said. After that, he said the matter will go to court.