News

Friday February 19, 2010


Sting Catches California Abortionist Practicing in Violation of Suspension

Judge refuses to revoke license

CHULA VISTA, California, February 19, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The California Medical Board has asked for the emergency suspension of Andrew Rutland’s medical license after an undercover sting conducted by Board investigators caught him doing first trimester chemical abortions, even though he has been banned from the procedure. Yet at an emergency hearing yesterday, Judge James Ahler allowed Rutland to keep his restricted license, and indicated that he may continue to do early medical abortions that do not require surgery.

The abortionist’s license was partially suspended on January 7, 2010, after Ying Chen died from a botched second-trimester abortion Rutland performed at what has been described as a dirty, ill-equipped acupuncture clinic in San Gabriel. He was banned from surgery and from doing abortions.

Subsequently, Rutland asked for permission to continue doing first trimester abortions, but on January 12, the Board issued a clarification specifically banning him from that practice.

Independently from the Medical Board, Operation Rescue conducted an undercover sting of its own on February 3, in which a woman posing as a potential abortion customer received an appointment for a surgical abortion with Rutland for later that day.

Operation Rescue immediately contacted the Medical Board and submitted a copy of the recorded conversation.

Rutland’s attorney told the LA Times that Rutland’s daughter was actually doing the surgical abortions, but in the call made by Operation Rescue, the receptionist “Rhea” indicated that the caller’s appointment would be with Dr. Rutland, referring frequently to “him.” There was no mention of another physician.

However, Judge Ahler dismissed the California Medical Board’s petition for emergency suspension of Rutland’s license Thursday, saying: “Folks, this is not a referendum on abortion.”

Kathleen Nicholls of the California Medical Board commented, “How many patients have to die before a doctor is shut down? It’s unfortunate someone else is going to have to die to change this order.”

“This is one of those times when one has to shake his head and ask what the judge was thinking,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

“Rutland has a record of human destruction a mile long and he continues to flout the law and the restrictions put on him. He is a danger to the public,” said Newman. “When Rutland injures or kills another person, and with his track record, that could be any day now, Judge Alher will have that on his conscience.”

Rutland has a long and troubled history. Rutland’s license had been previously revoked in 2003, after his negligence caused the death of a wanted baby during childbirth. At that time he was on probation for the deaths of two other infants.

In 2007, Rutland’s license was reinstated.

He took over a Chula Vista abortion clinic from abortionist Nolan Jones, who had his license revoked in March, 2009, for violations ranging from botched abortions to fraud. Jones had replaced unlicensed abortionist Bertha Bugarin, who is serving nearly 7 years in state prison for illegal abortions. Bugarin had stepped in after abortionist Phillip Rand surrendered his medical license due to his part in killing a woman during a botched abortion in Santa Ana in 2004.

“We pray that Rutland is the last abortionist in this cycle of abuse of women through illegal and unsafe abortions,” said Newman.