Four Japanese gang figures got liver transplants at UCLA

Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2008

A Los Angeles Times investigation found that UCLA Medical Center and its most accomplished liver surgeon provided a life-saving transplant to one of Japan's most powerful gang bosses. The Times also uncovered that the surgeon performed liver transplants at UCLA on three other men who are now barred from entering the United States because of their criminal records or suspected affiliation with Japanese organized crime groups. The four surgeries were done between 2000 and 2004 at a time of pronounced organ scarcity. In each of those years, more than 100 patients died awaiting liver transplants in the Greater Los Angeles region. There is no evidence that UCLA or Busuttil knew at the time of the transplants that any of the patients had ties to Japanese gangs.