Seattle Plastic Surgery Provider Settles for $5 Million Over Fake Reviews and Patient Intimidation

Seattle Plastic Surgery Provider to Pay $5 Million Over Fake Reviews and Patient Intimidation

Seattle, WA – In a landmark settlement, Allure Esthetic, a prominent Seattle-area plastic surgery provider, has been ordered to pay $5 million to the state and provide restitution to thousands of patients. This comes after allegations of posting fake positive reviews, threatening patients over negative feedback, and engaging in other deceptive practices.

The settlement, announced by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, follows a lawsuit accusing Allure Esthetic and its owner, Dr. Javad Sajan, of violating state and federal consumer protection laws. The company, operating under various names including Alderwood Surgical Center and Seattle Plastic Surgery, was found to have manipulated online reviews and ratings, rigged local "best doctor" competitions, and coerced patients into signing nondisclosure agreements to prevent negative reviews.

Patients who dared to post negative comments were reportedly threatened with lawsuits, while others were bribed with cash, free services, or products to remove their feedback. In a shocking revelation, the lawsuit detailed how over 10,000 patients were forced into signing agreements that essentially silenced their voices online.

Dr. Sajan, who was personally implicated in authorizing these unethical incentives, and his company also instructed employees to create fake email accounts to write positive reviews, further skewing the public’s perception of their services.

As part of the resolution, Allure Esthetic is required to undergo an independent audit of its consumer rebate program, ensuring those owed rebates are identified and compensated. The company must also adhere to strict compliance measures, with the threat of hefty civil penalties for any future violations.

The $5 million settlement includes approximately $1.5 million in restitution for around 21,000 affected individuals. Victims forced into signing illegal nondisclosure agreements will receive $50 each, while those who paid nonrefundable consultation fees under these conditions will get $120 each. The remaining funds will cover attorney fees, litigation costs, and future monitoring and enforcement efforts by the Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson emphasized the importance of this settlement in protecting consumer rights and ensuring transparency in the plastic surgery industry. "This resolution sends a clear message that deceptive practices and intimidation of patients will not be tolerated in Washington State," Ferguson stated.

The case against Allure Esthetic highlights the growing concern over the manipulation of online reviews and the lengths some businesses will go to protect their reputation at the expense of consumer rights and transparency. With this settlement, the state aims to set a precedent for accountability and ethical conduct in the healthcare industry and beyond.