Fact Check: Doctor texted co-defendant calling Perry a 'moron' to exploit for money.

Published June 17, 2025

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# Fact Check: "Doctor texted co-defendant calling Perry a 'moron' to exploit for money." ## What We Know Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the physician charge...

Fact Check: "Doctor texted co-defendant calling Perry a 'moron' to exploit for money."

What We Know

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the physician charged with supplying ketamine to actor Matthew Perry prior to his overdose death, has agreed to plead guilty to multiple counts of drug distribution. According to court documents, Plasencia referred to Perry as a "moron" in a text message, indicating that he believed the actor could be exploited for financial gain (AP News, NPR). The text message was sent to a co-defendant, Mark Chavez, during discussions about supplying ketamine to Perry (NewsNation, CBS News).

Perry was found dead on October 28, 2023, with ketamine identified as the primary cause of death (NPR). Plasencia's illegal activities included providing Perry with 20 vials of ketamine and other related substances, which he sold for $4,500 (AP News, Los Angeles Times).

Analysis

The claim that Dr. Plasencia texted a co-defendant calling Matthew Perry a "moron" who could be exploited for money is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Both the Associated Press and NPR report that this specific text message was a part of the evidence presented in court (AP News, NPR). The sources are reliable, as they are established news organizations that adhere to journalistic standards.

The context of the text message is critical; it reflects not only Plasencia's attitude towards Perry but also his willingness to exploit the actor's vulnerabilities for profit. This is further corroborated by the details of Plasencia's plea agreement, which outlines his illegal distribution of ketamine and his interactions with Perry (NewsNation, CBS News).

Moreover, the Los Angeles Times provides additional context about how Perry was perceived by those around him, indicating a broader pattern of exploitation related to his struggles with addiction (Los Angeles Times). This reinforces the credibility of the claim that Plasencia's text was not just a casual remark but indicative of a predatory mindset.

Conclusion

The claim that Dr. Salvador Plasencia texted a co-defendant calling Matthew Perry a "moron" to exploit him for money is True. This assertion is supported by multiple reliable sources, including court documents and statements from federal prosecutors, which confirm the existence and context of the text message. The evidence indicates a clear intention to exploit Perry's condition for financial gain.

Sources

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