Therapist Is Decertified for Car Assault

LAGUNA HILLS — State consumer affairs officials said Friday they have revoked the license of a respiratory therapist, citing his conviction for driving into his ex-wife.

On June 18, 1992, Francois Hoa Nguyen of Laguna Hills pleaded no contest in Municipal Court in Westminster to assault with a deadly weapon and vehicular hit-and-run. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years’ probation and ordered to pay restitution to his wife.

Cathleen A. McCoy, executive director of the state’s Respiratory Care Examining Committee, announced Friday that the board, which operates under the state Department of Consumer Affairs, had revoked Nguyen’s license.

“It is the committee’s responsibility to protect consumers by disciplining the licenses of practitioners as necessary,” McCoy said. “Because Nguyen’s crime involved bodily injury, which is substantially related to the practice of respiratory care, the committee revoked his license.”

According to court documents, Nguyen waited outside his ex-wife’s home on July 20, 1991, despite a restraining order prohibiting him from approaching her.

“When she returned in a vehicle with her boyfriend (Nguyen) approached them and grabbed the boyfriend’s glasses and broke them,” according to the revocation order. “In an attempt to calm the situation, the boyfriend left the area. When (his ex-wife) attempted to walk away, (Nguyen) intentionally drove his vehicle into her . . . (Nguyen) did not stop to determine the extent of injuries and did not call for help.”

She was treated at a hospital for bruises.