Cancer researcher forced to resign sues hospital for defamation

Former Moffitt Cancer Center director Dr. Thomas Sellers, who resigned from the organization for engaging in what the prominent facility called violations of conflict of interest rules in China, has sued the hospital for defamation.

The lawsuit was filed Feb. 13 in Hillsborough County Civil Court. Sheng Wei, one of the people involved in the Thousand Talents Program, the source of the alleged conflict of interest controversy, is also named as a defendant. Morgan & Morgan attorneys John Morgan and Brandon Scheele filed the lawsuit on behalf of Sellers. Moffitt officials didn't return several calls and emails seeking comment on the lawsuit.