PHOENIX -- An embattled plastic surgeon is one step closer to losing his medical license.

An administrative law judge Tuesday backed the Arizona Medical Board's decision to suspend the license of Dr. Peter Normann and recommended the license be revoked.

The Board summarily suspended Normann's license on July 10, calling him "an imminent threat to public safety." Three of Normann's patients died of complications during and after liposuction procedures performed in his office.

The Board cannot directly revoke a physician's license. Due process requires an evidentiary hearing in front of an administrative law judge. When the Board summarily suspends a physician's license, the physician is entitled to an expedited hearing within 60 days. If the judge recommends revocation, the Board can vote to strip the physician of his or her license.

The judge on Tuesday concluded the Board had presented enough evidence at an August hearing to prove Normann had engaged in unprofessional conduct as defined by as many as eight parts of the Medical Practice Act, according to the Board.

Because Normann is no longer practicing in Arizona, he is no longer an imminent threat to patients, and the Board will wait until its next meeting on Oct. 10 to review the judge's recommendation.

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