Additional Coverage:
- Luigi Mangione’s lawyers claim DA used fake court date, bogus subpoena to get his medical records (foxnews.com)
Manhattan DA Accused of Obtaining Defendant’s Health Records Illegally
Attorneys for Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, claim the Manhattan District Attorney’s office illegally accessed Mangione’s private medical records. A new defense filing alleges the DA’s office violated HIPAA by pressuring Aetna, Mangione’s health insurer, to release documents without a court order or consent.
The filing claims prosecutors fabricated a court date and used a fraudulent subpoena, threatening Aetna with contempt of court. Mangione’s lawyers are requesting sanctions against the DA’s office, potentially including dismissal of the charges, and a formal evidentiary hearing.
The Manhattan DA’s office stated it will respond formally in court. They claim they requested limited information from Aetna, and that Aetna mistakenly sent additional material, which was deleted upon discovery and the situation disclosed to the defense and the court.
Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in December 2024. Prosecutors allege the killing was ideologically motivated, citing Mangione’s writings against the healthcare system. Mangione has pleaded not guilty.
This latest motion is one of several filed by the defense. They are also seeking to suppress statements Mangione made to law enforcement and evidence from his backpack, arguing both were obtained illegally.
Additionally, they’ve filed a motion to dismiss terrorism-related charges, claiming double jeopardy and raising concerns about concurrent state and federal prosecutions. A judge will decide whether to grant a hearing on the alleged HIPAA violation.
The other defense motions remain pending.
The state case is currently underway, preceding a separate federal prosecution where Mangione faces the death penalty.