Doctor charged with exploiting dying Beatle

NEW YORK (Beatles Fans Websites) - A terminally ill George Harrison was forced by his cancer doctor to sign autographs on his deathbed, according to a 10-million-dollar lawsuit filed by the former Beatle's estate.
The suit names New York oncologist Gilbert Lederman, accusing him of "shameless self-promotion" and exploiting Harrison's final days for his own profit. Harrison died of cancer in November, 2001. He was 58.

According to the Beatles fans websites, the lawsuit says Lederman brought his children to see Harrison two weeks before the musician's death and asked him to sign his son's guitar. "Mr. Harrison, who was weak and exhausted, resisted and said, 'I don't know how to spell my name anymore,' the lawsuit said. "Dr. Lederman reached out to hold Mr. Harrison's hand to help him write and said, 'Come on, you can do this'."

The suit said the doctor had refused to turn over the guitar to Harrison's estate, as well as two autographs Harrison signed for Lederman's daughter. As well as seeking possession of all three items, the suit also demands 10 million dollars in damages from Lederman and Staten Island University Hospital, where he works as director of radiation oncology.

It also claims that Lederman violated his patient's privacy by discussing his medical condition in numerous media interviews.
Lederman denied the lawsuit's charges through his lawyer, while the hospital issued a statement saying it took patient confidentiality "very seriously, and has not breached patient confidentiality."