LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Some viewers told WFTV about a strange automated phone call someone made regarding an on-air story. WFTV reported Thursday that the Mount Dora doctor, who told Obama health plan supporters to get care elsewhere, regularly leaves the country to perform a prostate cancer treatment not approved in the U.S.
Doctor Jack Cassell broke no laws, but Congressman Alan Grayson thought he should lose his license and, Friday, viewers told WFTV they got automated calls that said the doctor's actions were illegal and they should tune in. The calls didn't come from WFTV. The inflammatory message Lake County residents heard was only 18 seconds long and the mystery is who was behind it.
Lisa Hawkins got the call Friday at a 6:16pm, but didn't answer because the caller ID was unknown. Only later did she hear the voice mail message about Doctor Jack Cassell, who has publicly-opposed President Obama's health care reform.
"Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News tonight to see how Cassell takes cancer patients to the Bahamas to exploit their pain and suffering for his own selfish, personal gain," the message said.
"I was shocked," Hawkins said.
Hawkins is among dozens of Lake County residents who emailed WFTV Friday after getting the message. Others called the doctor.
"Someone wants me to cease and desist and they're doing anything they can to destroy me," Dr. Cassell said.
Cassell's been in the spotlight since posting the controversial sign telling Obama supporters to seek care elsewhere. Thursday, WFTV reported that Cassell takes patients to the Caribbean for operations that aren't approved in the U.S.
Health care reform supporter Alan Grayson criticized him.
"It's beyond unethical. It's evil," Grayson said.
A spokesman insists Grayson had nothing to do with the anonymous calls, especially after being openly critical on television.
"[The congressman] has said everything that he has to say about Dr. Cassell's unethical treatment of cancer victims," Todd Jurkowski, press secretary for Congressman Alan Grayson, told WFTV.
Cassell promised he didn't set it up either, even for publicity.
"We're gonna find out. I mean, you can't do a robo-call and not have some record of it," Cassell said.
Even people on the "do not call" list received the message. That's not illegal, because the caller wasn't trying to sell anything.
The robo-call operations can send 700,000 calls an hour and cost between four cents and eight cents per call.
Previous Stories: April 30, 2010: Grayson Wants Doctor's License Revoked April 2, 2010: Lake Co. Doc: If You Voted For Obama, Seek Care Elsewhere
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