In a development that has sent shockwaves through social media, a former patient of Alex Pretti has released an audio recording purporting to show the Minneapolis ICU nurse engaging in grossly inappropriate behavior toward vulnerable patients while on duty at the Veterans Affairs hospital. The controversial recording, which was posted online late Sunday, is now at the center of a fierce public debate about Pretti’s conduct during his nursing career — a contrast to the compassionate caregiver image portrayed by colleagues and family.

According to the individual who released the tape, the audio captures Pretti making derogatory remarks about a seriously ill patient, ridiculing their condition and mocking their inability to respond. The former patient, who asked to remain anonymous, said the comments were made during a moment when the patient’s privacy should have been respected, describing the behavior as “heartless and unprofessional.” The recording also allegedly includes instances where Pretti is heard asking questions about another patient’s private life that were unrelated to medical care — in some cases probing into their personal relationships and financial matters in ways that violated boundaries of patient confidentiality.

“These were people in pain, in a place where they should have felt safe,” the former patient told reporters. “Hearing him laugh about it and ask invasive personal questions was shocking. It made us question everything we thought we knew about him.”

The release of the audio tape is rapidly becoming a flashpoint in the ongoing national conversation about Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24 amid protests tied to immigration enforcement operations. Before the shooting, Pretti had been widely described in news coverage as a dedicated ICU nurse devoted to his patients and community, with colleagues remembering him for his kindness and steady presence. Family members and former coworkers have repeatedly defended his professional reputation, refuting unverified online allegations about misconduct.

Hospital administrators have not publicly confirmed the authenticity of the audio recording. A spokesperson for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System issued a statement saying they were aware of “a social media post circulating related to a former patient’s claims,” but emphasized that the facility is bound by privacy regulations and cannot comment on personnel matters. They added that any credible allegation of misconduct would be subject to rigorous review in accordance with medical and legal standards.

Legal and medical ethicists say that if the recording is genuine, it raises serious concerns about patient rights and professional conduct. “Mocking a vulnerable patient and probing into private matters unrelated to care would be a violation of ethical norms in nursing practice,” said Dr. Elaine Carter, a healthcare ethics professor. “Nurses are held to standards that prioritize dignity, respect, and confidentiality. Any deviation from that must be taken seriously.”

Social media reactions have been sharply divided. Some users have seized on the recording as evidence of a hidden side of Pretti’s character, while others question the tape’s authenticity and intent, pointing to widespread misinformation surrounding his death. A fact-checking article from Hindustan Times debunked earlier viral claims about Pretti’s alleged misconduct as fabricated and unrelated to his actual employment at the Minneapolis VA hospital.

As the controversy grows, many are calling for transparency and a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding both the recording and Pretti’s professional history. Whether the audio tape will withstand verification or be dismissed as part of the wider posthumous speculation remains to be seen, but it has already ignited debate about integrity, accountability, and the dangers of misinformation in high-profile cases.