Mendones

BACKGROUND

The Board revoked Mendones’ license, effective November 27, 2019, after adopting an administrative law judge’s recommended findings that discipline was supported by Mendones’ unprofessional conduct, including the making of “false or grossly incorrect” records regarding dangerous drugs, personal misuse of controlled substances, and mismanagement of personal health information. Ten days before the revocation was to take effect, Mendones filed a petition challenging the revocation of her license. The Board then lodged the administrative record in early March 2020. The superior court set a merits hearing for August 14, 2020, later continued to January 22, 2021. Before the hearing, the Board filed a “Non-Receipt of Anticipated Pleading” asserting Mendones had not filed an “opening brief” with the requisite citations to the administrative record lodged with the court. The Board further asserted that her petition, standing alone, was insufficient as it only cited to exhibits that were not shown to be part of the administrative record. Therefore, Mendones could not show that the Board’s findings and/or decision were not supported by the record. Mendones then filed an opening…