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TALLAHASSEE, Florida, July 8, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Late-term abortionist James Pendergraft has lost his appeal of the suspension of his medical license for committing illegal third-trimester abortions. The suspension issued by the Florida Medical Board remains valid and in effect.

In an opinion filed yesterday, the Florida District Court of Appeals rejected all of Pendergraft's arguments and stated that they “found no reversible error” in the Board's suspension order.

The opinion stated that “the [Administrative Law Judge] found that there was clear and convincing evidence that Dr. Pendergraft committed medical malpractice.”

Pendergraft has a long history of violations and problems with the law. In 2006, Pendergraft's license was suspended for similar infractions. In 2001, Pendergraft was convicted of extortion and spent 46 months in prison.

Pro-life blogger Jill Stanek noted that baby Rowan, the subject of the movie 22 Weeks, was born alive after a failed abortion in 2005 at one of Pendergraft's abortion facilities. The child's mother, Angele, said staff ignored her pleas for help after she realized the child had been born alive, and locked her in the bathroom until after the child had died. 

“Like so many abortionists, Pendergraft continues to act as if he is above the law. That makes him a danger to the public,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

“We call on the Florida Medical Board to convert the suspension into a permanent revocation, and continue to pray that Pendergraft's five Florida abortion mills will permanently close.”

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Florida Closes Clinics and Suspends License of Notorious Abortionist
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06081705.html

Notorious Abortionist Will Not Face Discipline By Florida Board of Medicine
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/apr/06041001.html

Abortion Clinic That Refused To Help Mother Whose Baby Was Born Alive Facing Legal Complaints
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/apr/05042902.html

Abortion Clinic Workers Refuse To Help Mother Screaming to Save Live Child
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/apr/05042504.html