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Call Kurtis: Groupon Issues MedSpa Customers Refunds After Call Kurtis Investigation

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Groupon has pulled the plug on deals offered by a Rocklin cosmetic surgeon exposed in a Nov. 1 Call Kurtis investigation.

Groupon told customers it is refunding purchases based on what it calls "unforeseen circumstances."

A dozen patients said Dr. Efrain Gonzalez of Advanced Medical Spa in Rocklin left them injured and even deformed, according to attorney Michelle Jenni.

"I was devasted," said Amy Rose, 27, a single mother who went in for a breast augmentation.

Gonzalez cut through critical nerves during the procedure leaving her hand paralyzed, Rose said.

Tummy tuck patient Hope Moon said Gonzalez left her with a scar hip to hip and a mutilated belly button.

"It's just deformed looking," Moon said.

The Medical Board of California filed a complaint against Gonzalez in September 2011 for "gross negligence," and "incompetence" involving another patient's breast rejuvenation.

CBS13 has heard from several viewers who learned of Gonzalez through his Groupon deals -- including some which offer more than half off Botox.

Groupon, however, is sending out emails and refunding customers who bought deals from Advanced Medical Spa.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to cancel this deal," the email said.

Groupon tells CBS13 it has removed Advanced Medical Spa from its offers.

"When we're no longer confident that a business can take care of our customers at the level we expect, Groupon will proactively stop working with them, as we've done with Advanced Medical Spa," said spokeswoman Julie Mossler.

"I'm a leader," Gonzalez said in an August 1 deposition. "There's followers, there's leaders. I'm a leader."

Gonzalez has ignored CBS13's repeated requests for comment.

"I'm just thankful I got out alive," Moon said.

Gonzalez still has his medical license and is free to practice.

The Medical Board's case against him is set to go before a judge next summer.

Groupon would not tell CBS13 how many customers were refunded, but more than 2,300 offers from Advanced Medical Spa were purchased according to Groupon's website.

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