'Concussion' doctor Bennet Omalu resigns from coroner post, claims sheriff tried 'to control me as a physician'

Dr. Bennet Omalu, who discovered the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in NFL players, stepped down from his California coroner post Tuesday in a letter that criticized the sheriff he worked with.

Dr. Omalu claimed that San Joaquin County Sheriff Steve Moore would routinely interfere in investigations, including cutting off hands of corpses without permission, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Dr. Susan Parson, another forensic pathologist, had stepped down from the same office last week.

"Recently, I became frigidly afraid that in continuing to work under the circumstances Sheriff Steve Moore has created in his office that I may be aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine," Dr. Omalu wrote in the letter obtained by the newspaper.

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"On many occasions, I met with him privately and provided him written memorandums trying to explain to him that the law does not allow him to insert himself in the duties of a physician unless he is a licensed physician."

Dr. Omalu filed the letter with the county administrator. He will leave his position as chief medical examiner on March 5, according to the Bee.

In the letter, also obtained by the Record newspaper, Omalu states that Sheriff Moore "has always made calculated attempts to control me as a physician and influence my professional judgement."

Dr. Omalu's discovery of CTE was highlighted in the 2015 Will Smith movie "Concussion."