'Dozens' of New Jersey medical personnel suspended over Clooney privacy flap

By Karyn Chenoweth Oct 9, 2007, 21:56 GMT

10/02/2007 - George Clooney - Burn After Reading - Movie Filming On Location - October 2, 2007 - Manhattan Streets - New York City, NY, USA © Janet Mayer / PR Photos

Weeks after George Clooney and his girlfriend were injured in a motorcycle accident and taken to Palisades Medical Center; Palisades, New Jersey CBS Affiliate Channel 2 has exclusively learned that dozens of doctors and hospital employees were suspended after apparently leaking Clooney's confidential information to the press.

The 46-year-old actor suffered a broken rib and road rash while his girlfriend riding with him suffered a broken toe in the collision with another vehicle.

Within minutes, the media seemed to know everything about Clooney's condition, and sources reveal to Scott Weinberger of Local Affiliate CBS 2 news that hospital officials are now investigating whether or not their own employees may have leaked information about Clooney to the media.

CBS 2 has learned as many as 40 employees have been suspended without pay and accused of accessing Clooney's medical records and giving that information to the press, a violation of federal law.

A union spokesperson who represents some of the workers addressed the issue to CBS 2 News:

"It was inappropriate but they are paying a steep price. But I don't even think George Clooney would want people to pay. Again, the apology to him for his privacy rights [is necessary], but I think in fact the hospital is overreacting," says Jean Oterson of the HPAA.

Sources say while doctors were tending to Clooney's injuries, employees not involved with his care logged into the hospital computer system to review his medical records, and CBS 2 has learned a security guard even gave out the number to one of Clooney's family members.

The hospital told CBS 2 Affilate that they take the violation of this law seriously and are still investigating.