Abortionist Pendergraft suspended for 4th time

Orlando, FL/August 12, 2010/Operation Rescue --

Abortionist James Pendergraft has had his medical license suspended for a 4th by the Florida Board of Medicine, which made the decision on Saturday.

"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 4th suspension. It is irresponsible to place women at repeated risk from this guy. Enough is enough!"

Pendergraft's license was suspended for 1 year, to be followed by 3 years of probation. He was ordered to pay $10k fine and take a course on record keeping. The suspension order was given after the Board found that Pendergraft had allowed an unlicensed employee to order and administer drugs even though she was unqualified and had a known history of drug abuse. Pendergraft also was disciplined for prescribing steroids to her for unknown reasons.

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, objected 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.

Pendergraft owns 5 abortion clinics in FL. While on suspension, his clinics continue to operate with other abortionists, at least 1 of which has had his own problems with the law. Abortionist Randall Whitney has had his license suspended twice and was placed on probation for violations according to the FL Health Department.

Newman stated:

Pendergraft's clinics are a menace to the public. They should be closed, and perhaps if he was in another state, they would be. 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 FL Board of Medicine seriously dropped the ball by not revoking Pendergraft and forcing the closure of his clinics.