Carson Group, defending itself in an ongoing legal battle with former Chief Marketing Officer Mary Kate Gulick, has accused the fired executive of altering medical records involved in the case.
The firm last week filed motions asking the U.S. District Court in Omaha to stay all proceedings pending resolution of “serious issues” arising from Gulick’s “intentional alteration of numerous medical records” and seeking sanctions, including dismissal of her discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against the firm.
The records are evidence in the case, which started last year when Gulick filed the lawsuit centered on how Carson Group handled a sexual assault report.
Her lawsuit alleges the RIA retaliated against and eventually fired her in 2023 after she expressed concerns over its response to a report that a Carson employee had sexually assaulted a participant at a 2022 industry conference. Carson Group has denied Gulick's main allegations.
As part of the discovery process, Carson asked Gulick to produce records of her communications with anyone, including health care providers, about the firm, the lawsuit, the allegations and events cited in the suit, its filing says. The firm also requested relevant medical records.
Carson alleges it found significant differences in records that Gulick provided compared with records obtained from health care providers and that she used fraudulent medical records to advance her claims. Carson also contends Gulick instructed at least three medical providers, pre-litigation, to alter her medical records.
Tom Freeman, an attorney representing Gulick in the case, told ThinkAdvisor via email Monday: “We strongly dispute the allegations made by Carson Group in their recent Motion. We are very proud to represent Mary Kate and she will not be silenced. Our response to these recent allegations by Carson Group will be forthcoming in our legal filings.”
After the alleged assault on a conference attendee, Ron Carson — Carson Group's CEO at the time, who is now known as Omani Carson — decided against firing the alleged assailant, according to Gulick’s lawsuit. She contends she "was deeply troubled “ by the firm’s lack of concern and that her mental health started to deteriorate.
Carson stated in a recent filing that Gulick didn’t know the victim and wasn’t present for the alleged assault.
Wealthmanagement.com reported Monday on Carson's accusations.
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