Orthopedic Surgeon Accused of Sexually Abusing at Least Four Boys

[MuffyBee]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/breaking/6556664.html
Doc accused of sexually abusing boys loses license
By ALLAN TURNER
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
July 31, 2009, 7:17PM

Dr. Bernard Albina was accused of sexually abusing at least four boys.
The Texas Medical Board on Friday stripped Dr. Bernard Albina, the Houston orthopedic surgeon accused of molesting prepubescent boys, of the right to practice medicine anywhere in the state of Texas.

The action came little more than a week after state District Judge David Mendoza set terms for the doctor's release on $400,000 bail. but said Albina could continue to practice his profession.

“No one but the medical board has the authority to allow him to practice medicine,” said board spokeswoman Jill Wiggins. “And that requires a free and active license, which he no longer has.”

Albina, 69, accused of sexually abusing at least four boys over a period of years, waived the right to appear at his suspension hearing.

The suspension of Albina's license will remain in effect until he requests it be reconsidered and “provides clear and convincing evidence and information (that he) ... is physically, mentally and otherwise competent to safely practice medicine.”

Prosecutors say Albina, who practiced medicine in Texas since 1971, ingratiated himself to his victim's families — allowing at least two of them to live rent-free in his houses — and paid the children to keep quiet. One victim, said Assistant District Attorney Eric Devlin, was paid $155,000 over a period of years.

Hundreds of hours of videotapes documenting sexual abuse of minors were confiscated from the doctor's home and office, authorities said.

In releasing Albina from jail on July 23, Mendoza stipulated that the physician had to wear a GPS monitor, could not use computers at home and could not have contact with anyone younger than 17.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Former-Houston-doctor-pleads-guilty-to-child-porn-4071225.php
Former Houston doctor pleads guilty to child porn charges
November 27, 2012

Bernard Albina, a 73-year-old former Houston physician, pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing child pornography, accepting a 10-year sentence in federal prison.

Albina, who has been in federal custody since his arrest Jan. 23, also admitted that from at least January 2003 until his arrest he inappropriately associated with several young boys, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston.

During that time, the former orthopedic surgeon admitted, he photographed two of those boys, displaying their genitals in a lascivious manner, officials said.

There is no indication he met any of the boys he was involved with through his medical practice, said Angela Dodge, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The Texas Medical Board suspended Albina's license to practice medicine in July 2009.

As part of the plea agreement, Albina will serve the maximum 10 years in federal prison, to be followed by at least five years of supervised release.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for March 12, with Albina to remain in custody until then.

He also will pay a $75,000 fine.
 ::snipping2::