Houston Doctor Indicted for Falsifying Medical Records: Impact on Liver Transplant Patients

On February 6, 2026, federal prosecutors revealed that Dr. John Stevenson Bynon Jr., a Houston-based doctor, has been indicted on allegations of falsifying medical records for five patients. This serious accusation rendered these patients ineligible for liver transplants. The grand jury in Houston charged Bynon, who served as the director of abdominal organ transplantation and surgical director for liver transplantation at Memorial Hermann Health System, with five counts of false statements regarding healthcare matters.

The indictment, which was made public recently, indicates that of the five affected patients, three have passed away, while the other two could secure liver transplants at other hospitals. According to court documents, the patients, along with their families and other medical personnel, were unaware of Bynon’s purported falsifications in their medical files.

U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei commented on the matter, stating, “Dr. Bynon is alleged to have betrayed the most sacred duty of a medical professional — to heal. He stole years and hope from those who trusted him most by falsifying records and preventing patients from receiving organ transplants.”

Bynon’s attorney, Samy Khalil, spoke to reporters after his client’s initial court appearance, defending the doctor’s actions. Khalil emphasized Bynon’s commendable career, which includes over 2,000 transplant surgeries over 40 years, noting, “Nothing he did was unlawful. Everything that he did was lawful and in good faith. We look forward to clearing his name in a court of law and educating, frankly, the government on the medical concepts that undergird this totally, totally misguided prosecution.”

Memorial Hermann Health System and UTHealth Houston, Bynon’s employer, have not yet commented on the matter. Attorney Tommy Hastings, representing families of patients affected, has spoken against Bynon, accusing him of manipulating patient records to their detriment. The indictment does not specify the motivation behind Bynon’s alleged actions.

Jason Hudson, Acting Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Houston Field Office, highlighted the vulnerability of the affected patients, expressing concern over the indictment, “Ultimately, at the center of this case are vulnerable patients who hung their hope of survival on a nationally renowned surgeon now federally charged for manipulating their medical records.” The Department of Justice further noted that many patients, unaware of their ineligibility, were kept off list offers for extended periods.

The ramifications of these charges have been significant. Following the initial allegations in April 2024, Memorial Hermann halted its liver and kidney transplant programs, which were only restarted a year later. Meanwhile, multiple families of deceased patients have filed lawsuits against Bynon, questioning whether his actions were responsible for the denial of liver transplants. These civil suits are still pending resolution.

From March 2023 to March 2024, Bynon is alleged to have altered medical records for five patients. The indictment details tragic cases, including one patient who was ineligible for a donor organ for 149 days, ultimately dying in February 2024. Another patient remained ineligible for 69 days and passed away during a liver transplant surgery in December 2023. A third patient’s urgent need for a liver transplant was reportedly undermined by falsified records, leading to death shortly thereafter. Fortunately, two other patients were able to receive life-saving transplants after seeking care at other institutions.

If convicted, Bynon could face a federal prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 per count. In February 2025, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network labeled Memorial Hermann as a member “not in good standing” — the most severe penalty indicating crucial lapses in patient safety and care quality.

This case resonates beyond the specific allegations, highlighting concerns about integrity within the organ donation and transplant community, and underscoring the dire consequences of malpractice in medicine.