What Mental Health Professionals Treated Me at Akin Gump?

The following document is the record on appeal at pages 501 to 503 in Freedman v. Akin, Gump, Hauer & Feld, an unlawful job termination complaint I filed with the D.C. Department of Human Rights in February 1992.

In the document I grant permission to Donald M. Stocks of the D.C. Department of Human Rights to review my patient records or speak with the mental health professionals who treated me while I was employed at Akin Gump. I saw mental health professionals during the period January 1990 to October 1991. I was seeing William D. Brown, Ph.D. in the months immediately before my job termination on October 29, 1991. Dr. Brown, a psychologist who could not prescribe medication, apparently did not believe that the seriousness of my condition warranted treatment by a psychiatrist who could prescribe medication.

During my employment I formed the (paranoid) belief that most of the practitioners I saw divulged confidential mental health information about me to my employer, Akin Gump.

There is no evidence Donald M. Stocks contacted any of the listed practitioners; it is questionable whether any information he might have obtained from the practitioners would have had any legal relevance to my unlawful termination complaint.

In a sworn interrogatory response Akin Gump (Dennis M. Race, Esq.) stated that the firm's termination decision was made in consultation with a practicing psychiatrist (Gertrude R. Ticho, M.D.) who concluded that my harassment complaint was the product of a paranoid mental state that might be associated with a risk of violent behavior. Dr. Ticho denied in writing (July 2, 1993) ever speaking with Dennis Race, and stated later in a phone conversation with me (October 1993) that she had had no contact with the firm at all.

January 14, 1993
3801 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Apartment 136
Washington, DC 20008

Donald M. Stocks
Case Investigations
Government of the District of
Columbia
Department of Human Rights and
Minority Business Development
2000 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

RE: Docket No.: 92-087-P(N) -- Gary Freedman v. Akin, Gump, Hauer & Feld

Dear Mr. Stocks:

Enclosed is a notarized Authorization to Release Medical Records concerning the above-referenced Complaint.

I will forward a photocopy of the Authorization to each of the mental health professionals or mental health facilities named in the Authorization.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Gary Freedman

AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE MEDICAL RECORDS

Upon presentation of the original or a photocopy of this signed authorization, I, Gary Freedman, authorize Kathleen Kelly; Judy Peres, L.C.S.W.; Sheppard Pratt Preferred Resources, Stanley R. Palombo, M.D.; Stephen R. Stein, Ph.D.; Norman L. Wilson, M.D.; Lewis A. Winkler, M.D.; Lawrence C. Sack, M.D.; William D. Brown, Ph.D.; Suzanne M. Pitts, M.D.; Napoleon Cuenco, M.D.; Jerry M. Wiener, M.D.; and The George Washington University Medical Center Department of Psychiatry to provide information, including copies of records, concerning advice, care or treatment provided to me without limitation relating to mental illness, use of drugs or alcohol to representatives or employees including but not limited to Donald M. Stocks of the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Human Rights and Minority Business Development who are involved in conducting an investigation of Complaint No.: 92-087-P(N), Gary Freedman v. Akin, Gump, Hauer & Feld, executed February 4, 1992 arising under the District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977.

I hereby release, discharge and exonerate the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Human Rights and Minority Business Development, its agents, representatives, and employees including but not limited to Donald M. Stocks and

1. Kathleen Kelly
[formerly employed by Sheppard Pratt Preferred Resources; current address unknown]

2. Judy Peres, L.C.S.W.
Sheppard Pratt Preferred Resources
2033 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

3. Stanley R. Palombo, M.D.
Suite 208
5225 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

5. Norman, L. Wilson, M.D., P.C.
4025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

6. Lewis A. Winkler, M.D.
1226 31st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007

7. Lawrence C. Sack, M.D. [now deceased]
Suite 228
3801 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

8. William D. Brown, Ph.D.
Suite 217
1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

9. Suzanne M. Pitts, M.D. (consulted after job termination)
Department of Psychiatry
The George Washington University
Medical Center
2150 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037

10. Napoleon Cuenco, M.D. (consulted after job termination)
Department of Psychiatry
The George Washington University
Medical Center
2150 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037

and

11. Jerry M. Wiener, M.D. (post job termination)
Chairman, Department of Psychiatry
The George Washington University
Medical Center
2150 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037

their agents and representatives so furnishing information from any and all liability of every nature and kind including applicable provisions of the District of Columbia Mental Health Information Act, D.C. Code Sections 6-2001 to 6-2062, arising out of the furnishing or inspection of such documents, records and other information or the investigation made by the District of Columbia Department of Human Rights and Minority Business Development.

Gary Freedman [signed]

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to me before this 14th day
of January A.D., 1993.

Leslie A. Pilon [signed]

My Commission Expires February 14, 1998