While host-comedian Joan Rivers was under anesthesia in the procedure room of Manhattan's Yorkville Endoscopy clinic, her personal doctor took a selfie photo while he was prepping to do a biopsy on her vocal chords.

Rivers' personal doctor, who was not authorized to practice medicine in the said clinic, was given the go-ahead by the head of Endoscopy and the clinic's medical director, gastroenterologist Dr. Lawrence Cohen.

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Her personal doctor has not been identified yet.

Cohen did an endoscopy on Rivers, who was complaining of a sore throat and hoarse voice. The said procedure involved the insertion of a camera down the celebrity's throat.

When Cohen was done, Rivers' doctor did a biopsy without getting her consent. The said physician was not certified by the clinic.

"Even though you are a licensed physician, you still should have, if you will, the checks and balances to get your approval to practice in that particular place," Dr. Arthur Caplan, a medical ethicist at New York University's Langone Medical Center, stated.

Those investigating the case believe that the vocal chords of the 81-year old host-comedian had become swollen due to the biopsy, which in turn cut off the flow of oxygen to her lungs. The incident led to a cardiac arrest.

Rivers was then immediately rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, which was a mile away from the clinic. She died in the said hospital a week later.

The Yorkville Endoscopy clinic released a statement last Thursday denying reports that a biopsy had been done on Rivers. However, the clinic fired Cohen a day after the denial was publicized.

A source said there have been no accusations officially thrown at Cohen or Rivers' personal doctor.

The clinic has also chosen to remain mum regarding Cohen, the illegality of Rivers' personal doctor practicing in the clinic, and the alleged selfie. 

TagsJoan Rivers