By Robyn Shelton, Sentinel Medical Writer

The state board of medicine dropped its disciplinary case Saturday against an Orlando abortion-clinic owner who had served prison time on an extortion charge. Dr. James Pendergraft’s extortion conviction eventually was overturned, and he later pleaded guilty in 2004 to a single count of accessory after the fact to making false statements. The Florida Board of Medicine was considering actions against the doctor that included potentially revoking his license, but members voted to dismiss the case instead, affirming a decision by an administrative judge that the case should be dropped.