Drs. Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo, who is accused in the case, and George Blumenschein, colleagues at MD Anderson Cancer Center, were involved in a “casual sexual relationship” when the incident occurred, according to a report from HLN affiliate KHOU. The station cited investigators with the University of Texas at Houston Police Department and a complaint filed May 29.
An attorney for Gonzalez-Angulo has denied the allegations, saying she is “completely innocent. These allegations are totally inconsistent with her personal and professional life,” Derek S. Hollingsworth told the TV station.
On January 27, Blumenschein was alone with Gonzalez-Angulo in her home when she served him coffee, according to an affidavit obtained by the Houston Chronicle newspaper. Blumenschein said that the coffee tasted sweet and that he normally took it black; Gonzalez-Angulo said it was sweetened with Splenda, the document states.
Four hours after consuming two cups of the coffee, Blumenschein claims his speech was slurred and that his motor skills seemed impaired. Twelve hours later, he went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with central nervous system depression, cardiopulmonary complications and renal failure, according to the court document.
A toxicology report, the court document states, showed that the sweet-tasting chemical ethylene glycol (an organic compound found in antifreeze) was detected in Blumenschein’s system.
Blumenschein suffered loss of use of his kidneys after the alleged incident and is still under the care of a doctor, according to KHOU.
Gonzalez-Angulo is a well-known researcher in the oncology field and studies aggressive forms of breast cancer. She was previously featured in the Komen for the Cure series “A Day in the Life.” In a statement to CNN, MD Anderson Cancer Center confirmed that Gonzalez-Angulo is on administrative leave, but declined further comment.
She was booked on May 30 and released on $50,000 bail, the Chronicle reported.
The Chronicle has posted a scan of the affidavit, which provides detailed information about the alleged incident and its aftermath.
