Campus Files: USC's Drug Peddling Dean – A Detailed Summary

In the April 30, 2025 episode of Campus Files, hosted by Audacy, listeners are taken on an in-depth journey into one of the most scandalous episodes to rock the University of Southern California (USC). Titled "USC's Drug Peddling Dean," the episode unravels the complex investigation led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Pringle, uncovering the dark underbelly of a prestigious academic institution.

1. The Incident at Hotel Constance ([01:37] – [06:00])

The story begins on a serene day in Pasadena, California, March 4, 2016, at the historic Hotel Constance. Margo Gray sets the scene:

"It was a cool mid-60s day in Pasadena... For Devon, the manager on duty, everything seemed routine. Then a call from housekeeping. They needed him in room 304 immediately."

Inside Room 304, an unconscious woman was found. Initially perceived as a simple overdose, the gravity of the situation deepens when it's revealed that the room was booked by Dr. Carmen Puliafito, the dean of USC's Keck School of Medicine—a highly respected figure in the academic community.

Paul Pringle introduces himself:

"I'm Paul Pringle, host of What Next from Slate.com... I've been working at the LA Times for just shy of 24 years."

Pringle highlights his extensive experience and the significance of his previous reporting on USC, including the athletic director scandal involving Pat Hayden.

2. Beginning the Investigation ([06:00] – [08:45])

In the spring of 2016, a tip about the incident reaches Paul Pringle, positioning him as the ideal investigator. However, Pringle faces unexpected challenges:

"I got nothing. And I tried to speak to the police chief, made requests there, nothing but silence." ([07:15])

Both the Pasadena Police Department and USC exhibit unprecedented levels of secrecy, compelling Pringle to employ relentless door-knocking and persistent follow-ups without success.

3. Assembling the Investigation Team ([13:47] – [15:19])

After months of dead ends, Pringle's determination leads him to confront internal resistance within the LA Times, exacerbated by the paper's sale to the Tribune Company. Recognizing the escalating challenges, Pringle collaborates with Matt Lake, the city editor, to form a clandestine team of five reporters aiming to "flood the zone" with investigative efforts:

"We decided to put four more reporters on this, just to sort of... force the issue, kind of flood the zone." ([14:05])

This strategic move is intended to amplify the pressure needed to expose the truth despite institutional pushback.

4. Breakthrough: Uncovering Sarah Warren’s Story ([15:35] – [22:00])

The investigation pivots towards Sarah Warren, a young woman whose life was entangled with Dr. Puliafito. Pringle discovers:

"He started supporting her completely. He provided all the drugs to her and later to her circle of friends, including her underage brother, who was 17 at the time." ([20:51])

Through meticulous research and building trust with Sarah's distraught family, Pringle obtains compelling evidence, including photos, videos, and firsthand accounts of Sarah's struggle with addiction and Puliafito's manipulative control.

A pivotal moment occurs on St. Patrick's Day, 2017, when Marianne Warren arranges a lunch meeting with Puliafito:

"He admitted that people had, in fact, been kicked out of rehab because of him. He also claimed he was in love with Sarah and that he couldn't stop helping her." ([22:36])

This confrontation yields incriminating admissions from Puliafito, solidifying the foundation for a groundbreaking exposé.

5. Publication Struggles and Editorial Suppression ([23:31] – [29:32])

Despite having "impeccable" and "ironclad" evidence, Pringle and his team encounter significant hurdles:

"At the very last minute, the top editor killed the story and he never gave me a good reason." ([11:02])

When they attempt to publish, the story undergoes dilution:

"They stripped out the most damaging material to USC... They wouldn't back down. And they did publish that version of the story." ([28:43])

Furthermore, the story's visibility is compromised by moving it from the prominent Sunday edition to Monday, diminishing its initial impact. Nonetheless, the publication sends ripples across the media landscape:

"It was immediately our biggest story of the year in terms of online readership." ([29:32])

6. Continued Investigation and Expansion of the Scandal ([29:32] – [34:37])

Undeterred by the initial publication, Pringle and his team continue to delve deeper. They uncover additional victims, including Dora, whose newborn son died from methamphetamine exposure. Despite thorough investigations spanning two years, Puliafito faces no criminal charges, though the California Medical Board revokes his medical license:

"They tried to soft pedal it... the editors took out the fact that this guy was a drug peddler." ([29:55])

Pringle also reveals that USC secured a settlement from the Warren family, including an ironclad NDA that mandated the destruction of critical evidence:

"They required the Warren family to turn over all of that evidence... that was done at the direction and supervision of USC's attorneys." ([32:00])

Tragically, Sarah and her brother succumb to addiction-related ailments in 2023, underscoring the deep personal costs of the scandal.

7. Aftermath and Institutional Changes ([34:37] – [35:15])

Paul Pringle's relentless pursuit leads to significant repercussions within the LA Times and broader journalistic circles. He authors a book titled "Bad Peril and Power in the City of Angels" and launches a podcast series, "Fallen Angels," to further document the saga.

The LA Times undergoes a cultural renaissance following new ownership, embracing a newsroom environment that prioritizes integrity and accountability:

"The shift in newsroom culture was immediate... the difference couldn't be more stark." ([34:52])

Pringle emphasizes the crucial role of journalism in holding powerful institutions like USC accountable:

"That is the newspaper's essential role. It should be its number one priority to hold other institutions to account." ([35:15])

8. Conclusion: The Imperative of Investigative Journalism

The "USC's Drug Peddling Dean" episode of Campus Files serves as a poignant reminder of the vital need for tenacious investigative journalism. Paul Pringle's journey, marked by perseverance against formidable institutional barriers, ultimately fosters accountability and transparency within one of America's leading universities. The episode not only chronicles a harrowing tale of addiction and abuse of power but also celebrates the unwavering commitment of journalists to uncover and report the truth.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Pringle on encountering unprecedented secrecy:

  "This kind of silence over what could have been. Again, it should have just been a routine matter." ([07:40])

• Sarah Warren on her struggle:

  "She wanted to speak. She wanted to break free of Carmen Puliafito once and for all." ([19:20])

• Paul Pringle reflecting on the importance of accountability:

  "That is the newspaper's essential role. It should be its number one priority to hold other institutions to account." ([35:15])

Campus Files continues to shed light on the hidden truths behind America's revered institutions, offering listeners a critical and unvarnished view of the challenges that lie beneath the surface of collegiate excellence.