OCALA, Florida, Feb. 2, 01 (CWNews.com) - An abortionist
was convicted on Thursday of trying to extort millions of
dollars from a Florida county after he made false claims
that a county official made bomb threats and used
intimidation tactics.
James Scott Pendergraft, the owner of several abortion
clinics, was found guilty in federal court on all charges,
including conspiracy, mail fraud, and attempted extortion,
and faces up to 30 years in prison. His real estate
partner, Michael Spielvogel, was convicted of the same
charges, plus lying to the FBI and filing a false
statement. He could get 40 years. No sentencing date was
set.
"I'm disappointed in the justice system as far as saying
that I'm guilty," said Pendergraft, promising to keep his
clinics open. "But I will continue to fight that and in the
interim I will take care of women in their most difficult
time."
The men were accused of lying in affidavits in an effort to
extort a big settlement from Marion County in exchange for
dropping a lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed the county and the
city of Ocala weren't allowing off-duty police officers to
work security details at Pendergraft's clinic.
Prosecutors said Spielvogel claimed county Commissioner
Larry Cretul told him it was not a matter of "if" but
"when" Pendergraft's clinic would be bombed. During the
trial Spielvogel admitted the he lied about the claim and
misled Pendergraft into thinking it was real.
At a meeting with a county attorney, Pendergraft also
threatened to bankrupt the county by seeking $100 million
in damages.