Contact: Troy Newman, President, 316-841-1700; Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Policy Advisor, 316-516-3034; both with Operation Rescue, info@operationrescue.org
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- California abortionist Andrew Rutland faces an emergency suspension hearing today in San Diego based on a nine-count accusation filed on Christmas Eve by the California Medical Board for multiple legal violations associated with the death of an abortion patient in July, 2009.
Rutland had committed a second trimester abortion on an Asian woman at an unlicensed office in San Gabriel, CA, during which he administered an overdose of lidocaine. He failed to recognize the symptoms of the overdose and the patient went into cardiac arrest. He and his staff were untrained and unequipped to handle the medical emergency. After a 'significant delay' in contacting 911, the woman was transported to a local hospital where she died.
Rutland failed to report the emergency transport, hospitalization, and patient death as required by law.
Rutland has a long history of licensure problems. His medical license was revoked in 2003 for severing a baby's spinal column during a forceps delivery, then lying to the parents by telling them that their baby suffered a stroke. The baby later died. His license was reinstated in 2007, and Rutland was placed on 5 years probation with the restriction that he operate under the supervision of another physician.
Last October, Operation Rescue reported that Rutland was violating his probation by engaging in the solo practice of medicine at an abortion clinic in Chula Vista. We asked our supporters to contact the California Medical Board and demand that his medical license be revoked.
On November 3, 2009, an Inspector from the California Medical Board attempted to inspect Rutland's stock of drugs and his records at his Chula Vista clinic, none of which were made open to him at the time of his inspection.
The Medical Board asked for an emergency suspension of Rutland's license until the Board can work through the lengthy process to finalize revocation.
"This is yet another example of a dangerous abortionist in trouble with the law. It is a shame that a woman had to die before this man could be permanently banned from the medical field," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "We commend the pro-life activists on the ground in California for their vigilance in monitoring and reporting this abortionist. We pray Rutland's abortion mills will now permanently close."
Ironically, Rutland took over at least two abortion clinics from the notorious abortionist Nolan Jones who had his medical license revoked in 2009. Jones had taken the clinics over after illegal abortionist Bertha Bugarin was arrested 2008. Bugarin is currently serving a prison sentence of 6 years, 8 months.
We encourage pro-life supporters to monitor and report abortion clinic abuses in their areas. View a full listing of abortion clinics in America.
A summary of allegations against Rutland and a copy of his revocation document are available at www.operationrescue.org.
About Operation Rescue®
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America. Operation Rescue is now headquartered in a former abortion clinic that it bought and closed in 2006. From there, Operation Rescue launches its innovative new strategies across the nation, exposing and closing abortion clinics through peaceful, legal means. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to stop abortion and ultimately restore legal personhood to the pre-born in obedience to biblical mandates.
