Jailed Australian broker to have brain surgery 19:30, Wednesday, 18 June 2003
SYDNEY, June 18 (Reuters) - A flamboyant Australian stockbroker sentenced to weekend detention for insider trading has multiple benign brain tumours and would undergo surgery next week, a psychiatrist treating him said on Wednesday.
State-appointed psychiatrist Dr Robert Reznik said he had treated stockbroker Rene Rivkin after Rivkin collapsed and was rushed to hospital midway through his first weekend behind bars 10 days ago.
Reznik said he had diagnosed hypomania and that subsequent scans revealed multiple meningioma adjacent to Rivkin's brain.
"All of the medical practitioners treating Mr Rivkin agree that he should anticipate making a full recovery, but the surgery involved is delicate and not without risk," Reznik said in a statement.
Reznik said hypomania, a mild form of mania that can exhibit symptoms of excessive enthusiasm, can be part of a manic depressive disorder.
Rivkin, famous for his worry beads, cigars and opulent lifestyle, was sentenced earlier this month to nine months of weekend detention and fined A$30,000 ($20,100) after he was found guilty of insider trading in shares of Australia's flagship carrier Qantas Airways Ltd .
The Prozac-taking Rivkin has spoken openly in recent weeks about suffering from depression and has said he has contemplated suicide.
Reznik said Rivkin had told him he expects to resume his periodic detention as soon as he receives medical clearance. Rivkin's lawyer told local media his client would resume his sentence in about three months.
($1 = A$1.49) ((Reporting by Paul Tait, editing by William Willitts; [email protected]; Reuters Messaging: [email protected]; +612 9373-1811))
