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Attorney Ron Bamieh and client, Dr. Andrew Bourne.

(Story updated Wednesday, 1-18-12 with further statement from Mammoth Hospital.)

Thursday, Dr. Andrew Bourne and Joe Walker, both of Mammoth Lakes, will return to Santa Barbara Superior Court for a hearing.  The Santa Barbara District Attorney’s office has promised to file more charges in the child sex case involving these two defendants.  Meanwhile, community impacts continue in Mammoth Lakes.  Dr. Bourne lost his surgical job with Mammoth Hospital.

When asked about Dr. Bourne’s status as a surgeon at the hospital, officials said, “Dr. Bourne’s contract was terminated because he cannot fulfill its terms at this time.”  Officials added to that statement on Wednesday by saying, “Dr. Andrew Bourne requested a leave-of-absence from the medical staff; it was granted by the Medical Executive Committee.  His contract was terminated with Mammoth Hospital.”  Officials also said, “We are providing uninterrupted general surgery clinic and call coverage through a mix of part-time and locum tenens surgeons.”

The other public duty that Dr. Bourne had fulfilled was that of Mammoth School Board member.  He resigned from that post last Friday. According to the bylaws of Mammoth Unified School District, the board has 60 days in which to formally declare a vacancy on the board and either to order an election or to make a provisional appointment to the board.

The bylaws also require that the district advertise the vacancy to allow citizens to apply for the seat.

Both Bourne and Walker face charges that they allegedly communicated with a minor for purposes of sex.  Walker also faces a charge of committing a lewd act on a girl of 14 or 15.  Santa Barbara Deputy DA Mary Barron has reportedly said she plans to file additional charges.

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