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Research firm sued by doctor A Medford doctor is suing a Tacoma-based clinical research company for $2.9 million, claiming fraud, breach of contract and other damages. The lawsuit, filed by Medford allergist Edward Kerwin, seeks damages from Pacific Coast Clinical Coordinators, also known as PC3, and its chief executive officer, Jane Taylor, a former trauma nurse. Kerwin's attorney, Kurt Knudsen of Ashland, said Friday that longstanding problems obtaining payment from PC3 led Kerwin to leave the Medford Clinic in June 1997. Although the contracted studies occurred at the Medford Clinic, the lawsuit does not allege any wrongdoing on the part of the clinic. However, because Kerwin was bound by a contract not to compete with the Medford Clinic for 18 months, his departure also forced him to shift his practice from Jackson County to Josephine and Klamath counties until recently. An attorney for PC3 could not be reached for comment Friday. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Medford on Jan. 8, further claims that Kerwin's problems with PC3 represent a pattern of organizational behavior subject to the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations anti-racketeering law. Kerwin isn't the only doctor alleging fraud by PC3, which also contracts with doctors in California, Idaho and Washington. PC3 filed suit against Brian Pogue, an Idaho doctor, in U.S. District Court there in June 1997. Pogue has since filed a counterclaim alleging fraud by PC3 and seeking damages in excess of $40,000, plus punitive damages of not less than $1 million. PC3 opened an office in Medford in late 1993. The local staff has coordinated studies ranging from research on drugs for asthma and menopause relief to increasing the quality of life and life span of the terminally ill. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA