‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Writer Elisabeth Finch Taking Leave After Being Suspected Of Exaggerating Medical History

A longtime writer and consulting producer for Grey’s Anatomy is currently on a leave of absence from the show. The writer, Elisabeth Finch, is suspected of potentially falsifying aspects of her life, including a cancer diagnosis and receiving an abortion while on chemotherapy, which was written into episodes of the hit show.

Finch has written extensively about her life as a cancer patient for publications including Elle, The Hollywood Reporter, and her boss on Grey’s own website, Shondaland. Finch has written episodes inspired by her alleged battle with cancer, and experiences with sexual assault, and received acclaim and attention that most mid-level staff writers hardly attract while working on a show.

According to sources from in the production team, doubts became cast over Finch’s story when she left the writer’s room to respond to a “family emergency.” Finch’s co-workers called her then-wife Jennifer Beyer, who reportedly expressed concerns to the team and Disney executives that Finch may have been passing Beyer’s stories off as her own. Finch and Beyer are now going through an “acrimonious” divorce. The newsletter Ankler, which first broke the story, also claimed that Finch may have been exaggerating aspects of her relationship with Beyer and Beyer’s children from a previous marriage.

“Ms. Finch will not disclose her private health matters. Likewise, she will not speak about her pending divorce from her estranged wife, Jennifer Beyer, or comment on any statements made to third parties about Ms. Finch,” her lawyer, Andrew Brettler, said.

When asked for comment, Shondaland simply responded with the statement, “Only Elisabeth can speak to her personal story.”