Gymnast's ex-husband in bankruptcy court

By Nolan Clay

Published: July 16, 2008

The ex-husband of Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller has ended up in bankruptcy court in Seattle, months after abruptly shutting down his laser eye surgery business.

Dr. Christopher Phillips, 35, was the subject of critical news accounts in Seattle earlier this year because some patients complained they had no notice of the closure and did not know what to do next.

"We've driven a hundred miles for an appointment that we thought we had at 3:30. ... You can't get any answers. That's the bad thing," one patient said to Seattle TV station, KIRO.

The Washington Health Department is investigating 56 complaints against the doctor, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. All the complaints have come in since the closure.

The investigations may result in discipline that could include loss of Phillips' medical license in Washington, the Health Department spokeswoman said.

Phillips is from Oklahoma. He could not be reached for comment. His bankruptcy attorney, Gloria Nagler, said Tuesday, "I don't have any comment. Sorry."

Phillips married Miller in a fairy tale-like wedding in Oklahoma City in 1999. Their divorce became final in Massachusetts seven years later. Miller called the marriage a painful experience.

Phillips filed for bankruptcy July 2 in federal court in Seattle. He listed an address in Renton, a suburb of Seattle. He reported he is unemployed.

He reported he has assets of $962,109 and liabilities of almost $4.7 million. The liabilities include a mortgage and $3.9 million that may be owed to patients.

Phillips bought the eye surgery business in Renton last fall but closed it five months later, according to his bankruptcy records.

The records show Phillips is considering suing the doctor who sold him the clinic. He is considering alleging fraud in the sale. He also is considering suing the media on libel and slander grounds.

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