Thursday August 12, 2010
Abortionist Pendergraft Suspended For Fourth Time
News report questions judgment of FL medical board for not revoking Pendergraft's license
ORLANDO, Florida, August 12, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Abortionist James Pendergraft has had his medical license suspended for a fourth time by the Florida Board of Medicine.
The board made the decision on Saturday after it found that Pendergraft allowed an employee to administer narcotics to patients without a license, and, although Pendergraft knew the employee had a drug problem, allowed her to order drugs under his name, and prescribed steriods to her for no apparent reason.
Pendergraft has been suspended in the past for performing illegal abortions, including third-trimester abortions.
His license was suspended for one year, to be followed by three years of probation, and the abortionist was ordered to pay $10,000 fine and take a course on record keeping.
"This is a case that should outrage everyone," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Here is a proven quack that has served three previous license suspensions, yet continues to offend.
"Even a stint in prison hasn't helped Pendergraft amend his ways. Nevertheless, the Board will allow this man to continue the practice of medicine after he serves his fourth suspension. It is irresponsible to place women at repeated risk from this guy. Enough is enough!"
Pendergraft faced previous suspensions, one as recently as January, 2010, for botched abortions, committing illegal late-term abortions, and dispensing drugs without a license. In 2004, he pled guilty to impeding justice while under investigation for extortion.
The Board ruled on Saturday that Pendergraft's two active suspensions would run concurrently.
Aaron Liberman, the chairman of the Department of Health Management and Informatics at the University of Central Florida, appeared to criticize to the leniency shown by the Board.
"I think it's a wake-up call for us all when we have an individual who is allowed to practice medicine in a way that draws question as to both his credibility and capability," he said in a Central Florida News 13 report.
Pendergraft owns five abortion clinics in Florida. While on suspension, his clinics continue to operate with other abortionists, at least one of which has had his own problems with the law. Abortionist Randall Whitney has had his license suspended twice and place on probation for violations according to the Florida Health Department.
"Pendergraft's clinics are a menace to the public. They should be closed, and perhaps if he was in another state, they would be," said Newman. "It is simply outrageous that these people who have proven that they cannot comport themselves within the law are allowed the opportunity to continue to prey on an unsuspecting public.
"The Florida Board of Medicine seriously dropped the ball by not revoking Pendergraft and forcing the closure of his clinics."