UCSD officials say five women apparently were involved in improper egg or embryo transfers there. Allegedly unauthorized egg transfers are at the heart of at least a dozen lawsuits filed against the doctors, UCI and the University of California regents. State and federal authorities also are investigating allegations of egg theft, tax evasion, insurance fraud and research misconduct. Asch, Balmaceda and their former partner, Dr. Sergio C. Stone, have ceased practicing in Orange County since the scandal erupted in May when the Register first reported two alleged instances of egg theft. Asch and Balmaceda have sold their Orange County homes and have been out of the country in recent weeks.
Stone still resides in Orange County.
Stone's attorney, Karen L. Taillon, said her client did not join the clinic until mid- or late 1990, so he would have had no contact with the patients on the list who received fertility treatment before that. She also noted that Stone did not routinely do egg transfers. Some patients named on the list said they did consent to have their eggs given to others. After her GIFT surgery, one of the doctors came into the recovery room and asked her if she was interested in donating. She said there was no pressure.