State medical board revokes pedophile psychiatrist's license

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The Texas state medical board has revoked the license of a psychiatrist accused of sexual contact with three juvenile patients.

Donald Hughes, 55, also has been sentenced to three five-year prison terms after pleading guilty to three charges of indecency with a child.

The Texas Medical Board also ordered Hughes, who practiced in Arlington and Fort Worth, to pay a $55,000 penalty and nearly $2,400 in transcript costs, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on its online edition Wednesday.

The decision comes two years after Hughes' license was suspended by the board after the panel deemed that allowing him to continue practicing medicine would pose a public threat.

The board's decision followed a hearing by an administrative law judge. It was based on findings that "Hughes committed unprofessional or dishonorable conduct that injured the public, that he became personally and financially involved with a patient and that he engaged in sexual contact with patients," according to board records.

Hughes may file a motion for another hearing within 20 days of the board's order. If the motion for that hearing is filed and the board denies it, the order is final.