Bosworth not trustworthy, lawyer says in license hearing

A  judge heard testimony Monday on whether revoking Annette Bosworth's medical license was warranted after the former U.S. Senate candidate was convicted of violating election law.

The South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners voted in September to revoke Bosworth’s medical license after a jury found her guilty of six counts each of perjury and filing false documents.

Bosworth challenged the ruling, leading to the hearing in Minnehaha County. She is allowed to practice medicine until a ruling is issued.

Her lawyer, Paul Richardson, on Monday argued that the felony conviction doesn’t prevent Bosworth from providing honest care for her patients.

“The board found Dr. Bosworth essentially a danger to the public, but in those findings found that she adequately treated her patients,” Richardson said.

Bosworth avoided serving prison time when a judge handed down a suspended sentence. She must complete three years of probation and 500 hours of community service.

Bosworth, who was running for the Republican nomination in 2014, was out of the country on a medical mission during the period her nominating petitions were circulating, yet attested to witnessing people signing them. She cited inexperience for the mishandling.

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“She sought the advice of her counsel, who said it was not an issue,” Richardson said.

Circuit Judge Doug Hoffman asked the lawyer representing the medical board what aggravating factors in Bosworth’s case warranted revoking her license.

“It seems like the board is really coming in arbitrarily saying, ‘Felony conviction? You’re done,’ ” Hoffman said.

The medical board’s lawyer, Craig Kennedy, said Bosworth’s medical competency was never an issue. Her conviction made the board worry about her honesty, he said.

“A person who will lie to the extent of felonious perjury simply cannot be trusted,” Kennedy said.

Hoffman will review the case before making a decision.

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