Fake doctor arrested for performing plastic surgery on woman in Los Angeles
A man who posed as a doctor for ten years faces 10 years in prison for allegedly performing botched plastic surgery without a license.
Cristian Adrian Perez Latorre, 53, fooled patients, celebrities and news organizations for years while running his Los Angeles practice.
But his ruse backfired on Thursday when he was arrested and charged with “causing grievous bodily harm” to a woman during three surgeries in 2021.
Latorre claimed on his social media accounts that he is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Argentina and a “certified nurse first assistant and facialist” in the US.
It is unclear whether he was certified in Argentina but did not have the required US registration, or whether he was not qualified at all.
Cristian Adrian Perez Latorre, 53, fooled patients, celebrities and news organizations for years while running his Los Angeles practice
His ruse backfired on Thursday when he was arrested and charged with “causing grievous bodily harm” to a woman during three surgeries in 2021
Latorre claimed on his social media accounts that he is a board certified plastic surgeon in Argentina and a “certified nurse first assistant and facialist” in the U.S.
From his social media activity, it was clear that Latorre has lived in LA for at least a decade. In one post, he wrote that he was originally from Barcelona.
Bizarre photo shoots with models promoted his services, with him applying fake bandages to them or women lying next to him with the outline of an operation drawn on them.
He posed with celebrities, including the infamous ‘Human Ken Doll’ Jessica Alves, who underwent over 100 plastic surgeries to resemble the character Barbie, and later further surgeries to become a transgender woman.
Even major television stations believed he was trustworthy, including CNN, which interviewed him for its Spanish edition in June 2014.
Latorre was interviewed extensively on Spanish-language television last year about the illness and subsequent death of Argentine actress Silvina Luna.
Luna died on August 31 last year from kidney disease resulting from a botched Brazilian buttock augmentation she underwent in 2011 by disgraced surgeon Anïbal Lotocki.
His social media activity revealed that Latorre has lived in LA for at least ten years and in one post he wrote that he is originally from Barcelona
Latorre poses with actor Mickey Rourke
Bizarre photo shoots with models promoted his services, with the women lying next to him with surgical contours marked
Other promotional photos showed him using fake bandages on models after the ‘surgery’
He injected Luna with a liquid containing polymethyl methacrylate. Polymethyl methacrylate is banned by Argentina’s National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology.
The material is a transparent, rigid plastic that manufacturers use as a replacement for glass in automotive parts, lenses, panels and windows.
Luna needed medical attention in 2015 when she was treated for kidney stones. Doctors diagnosed her with renal failure and hypercalcemia and she was put on weekly dialysis treatments until she could receive a kidney transplant.
Latorre underwent surgery to remove the dangerous substance from her buttocks in 2016 after meeting him in Miami, but it is unclear where the surgery was performed.
Luna appeared with Latorre in an interview with Todas las Tardes, a few weeks before her death.
During another interview with Telephone NewsHe claimed that Lotocki had “poisoned” Luna with his procedure and given her a “death sentence.”
“These autoimmune diseases caused by liquid silicone can be more complicated than cancer because sometimes you can eliminate the cancer, but once it gets into the bloodstream, you can’t eliminate it. You’ve killed the patient,” he said.
Latorre operated on Silvina Luna, who appeared next to Latorre in this interview with Todas las Tardes, a few weeks before her death
Luna died on August 31 last year from kidney disease linked to a botched Brazilian buttock augmentation she underwent in 2011 by disgraced surgeon Anïbal Lotocki
Silvina Luna poses backstage in the press room at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards Latin America at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami
Latorre was interviewed extensively about Luna’s illness and death on Spanish-language television last year when he operated on her in 2016 to remove the dangerous substance from her buttocks
A year later, he is in custody on suspicion of six counts of practicing medicine without a certificate, and one count each of assault with a deadly weapon and assault causing serious injury.
Latorre faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said.
Latorre allegedly performed the surgery on the woman on July 13, 2021, then treated her on July 23 for infections related to the procedure and again on August 13 for additional complications.
“When someone poses as a doctor and performs medical procedures without a license, it not only puts lives at risk, it also undermines the essential trust between patients and legitimate health care providers,” Gascón said.
Latorre posed with celebrities, including the infamous “Human Ken Doll” Jessica Alves (far right), who underwent more than 100 plastic surgeries to resemble the Barbie character, and later more to become a transgender woman.
Latorre is being held on suspicion of six counts of practicing medicine without a license, and one count each of assault with a deadly weapon and assault causing serious injury.
Even major TV stations believed he was legitimate, including CNN, which interviewed him for its Spanish edition in June 2014
‘This form of deception threatens the integrity of our health care system and the trust the community has in those who work for their well-being.
“We are committed to seeking justice for the victim, holding Mr. Latorre accountable, and restoring the trust that has been so badly broken.”
The case was investigated by the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Chief of Investigations Kathleen Nicholls said there was no excuse for Latorre’s alleged behavior.
“Anyone who breaks the law and endangers the health of others must face the consequences of dangerous and selfish actions,” she said.
“We are grateful to our law enforcement partners and the investigators who worked tirelessly on this case.”
Latorre allegedly performed the surgery on the woman on July 13, 2021, then treated her on July 23 for infections related to the procedure, and again on August 13 for additional complications
Latorre in another interview with Spanish-language television
