Dave's selection is an interesting one coming from a USC educated Pasadena doctor that had his residency at USC's county hospital. The LA Times journalist, Paul Pringle, fearlessly takes on USC, the Pasadena Pollice Department, and his own newspaper the LA Times in his reporting on three separate scandals. Much of the book revolves around the first scandal involving the head of the USC Medical School, Dr. Carmen Puliafito. The story took years to publish due to special privilege and cover-up, with little justice ultimately served. The author focuses on the damage afflicted upon young victims, particularly Sarah Warren. The second scandal involved a USC student health gynecologist that abused young women for 30 years before being exposed. The third involved the massive college admissions bribery scandal involving wealthy clients, Singer, and USC as the prime college target. All three scandals happened under the watch of the powerful USC President, Max Nikias, who ultimately steps down with a golden parachute.
The book is a triumph of hard-nosed journalism and the underdog over corruption, wealthy privilege, and bureaucracy. I remember hearing about two of the scandals, but not the first. There is limited justice served, but the privilege still get-off lightly, despite the best efforts of individuals willing to risk it all to do the right thing.
