Hollywood Doc Convicted In Corruption Probe Gets License Back

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) - A Hollywood doctor who was convicted in a political corruption case has had his medical license restored.

The 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee ruled Wednesday that the Florida Department of Health improperly suspended Dr. Alan D. Mendelsohn's license.

Mendelsohn pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns, lying to FBI agents and pocketing $700,000 donated to his political committee for personal use. The doctor and committee contributed to hundreds of lawmakers and political candidates.

In June he was sentenced to four years in federal prison. The state suspended his license on an emergency basis without a hearing to determine if he posed a danger to public safety.

The three judge panel ruled state law permits a no-hearing suspension only for crimes related to Medicaid.

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