In a shocking turn of events, a woman from Maine has filed a federal lawsuit against her former fertility doctor, Dr. Merle Berger, accusing him of secretly impregnating her with his own sperm. The plaintiff, Sarah Depoian, had sought fertility treatment in 1981 and successfully became pregnant. However, recent genealogical research conducted by her daughter uncovered a disturbing connection to Dr. Berger.

According to the lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, Carolyn Bester, Depoian's daughter, used Ancestry.com and 23andMe to explore her family history. The results did not provide a direct answer regarding her biological father, but they did reveal a genetic relationship with two of Dr. Berger's relatives - his granddaughter and a second cousin.

The lawsuit asserts that Dr. Berger, who was praised as an expert in the field and a former professor at Harvard Medical School, surreptitiously used his own sperm in place of the agreed-upon anonymous donor. The civil complaint states that Depoian's husband's sperm was not suitable for the procedure, leading to an agreement that Berger would use a sample from a medical resident who resembled her husband.

Depoian's attorney alleges fraudulent concealment, intentional misrepresentation, and a violation of Massachusetts' consumer protection law. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages of over $75,000.

An attorney representing Dr. Berger has swiftly dismissed the allegations, saying they have "no legal or factual merit" and questioning the consistency of Depoian's story, which has supposedly changed over the past six months.

Harvard Medical School has distanced itself from Dr. Berger, stating that while he was associated with the institution, he primarily worked at independent hospitals. The complaint reveals that Dr. Berger has multiple residences in Massachusetts, including in Boston and on Martha's Vineyard.

The lawsuit claims that Dr. Berger's actions had lasting consequences, asserting, "Dr. Berger's life would have been entirely different had he admitted his assault on Ms. Depoian at the time." It further highlights Dr. Berger's subsequent success as a prominent fertility doctor, founding one of the largest fertility clinics in the nation, Boston IVF, and holding the position of Associate Clinical Professor at Harvard Medical School.

Sarah Depoian seeks justice and compensation for the alleged misconduct committed by Dr. Berger, whose standing and professionalism in the field of fertility now face scrutiny. As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how this case might impact the reputation of both the accused doctor and the field of reproductive medicine.