ABC 20/20 Tonight, Friday (July 22, 2022) Two-Hour Program Features New Interviews with Former Fiancée Benita Alexander, Prosecution and Defense, and Witnesses
This episode of “ABC 20/20” airs tonight July 22 at 9PM ET. On the heels of the trial where world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, faced criminal charges of aggravated assault for alleged medical crimes, a two-hour “20/20” reports on Benita Alexander, a television producer who fell head over heels in love with him while producing a report on his revolutionary new surgery technique… You can also watch previous episodes at ABC and on Hulu. Also, check out the official podcast at ABCAudio.
True Lies
Rebroadcast. ABC OAD: 2/12/21)
On the heels of the trial where world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, faced criminal charges of aggravated assault for alleged medical crimes, a two-hour “20/20” reports on Benita Alexander, a television producer who fell head over heels in love with him while producing a report on his revolutionary new surgery technique. He took her to exclusive destinations around the world. After he proposed, as wedding planning unfolded, Macchiarini surprised Alexander by telling her about VIP guests that were slated to attend, including Elton John and John Legend. He also shocked her by announcing one of his patients offered to officiate the wedding.
That patient happened to be the pope. But what Alexander thought was a perfect match turned out to be a web of lies. There was a storm brewing in Macchiarini’s professional life: several colleagues alleged he committed scientific misconduct by falsifying data to make his new surgery technique — performing trachea transplants using a synthetic trachea — appear more successful than it was.
“20/20” co-anchor Amy Robach sat down for an interview with Alexander, who opened up about how she fell for the whirlwind relationship and was blinded by love, discovered a snag in the wedding plan that caused everything to unravel, traveled to his home in Spain where she came face to face with a shocking surprise and dealt with the revelations after uncovering the truth.
The two-hour program also features interviews with those who witnessed Macchiarini’s downfall up close, including Alexander’s close friends and family and Macchiarini’s former colleagues who blew the whistle. “20/20” also reports on the most recent developments, including this year’s criminal trial, where he was cleared of more serious charges of aggravated assault but ultimately convicted of causing bodily harm in one patient’s case, and features courtroom audio of Macchiarini and new interviews with Alexander, who attended every day of the trial, members of the prosecution and defense, and witnesses who testified.
20/20 Tonight at 9PM ET on ABC
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