AUGUSTA - A Yarmouth psychiatrist has had his license to practice in Maine temporarily placed on probation for selling a gun to one of his patients.

Joseph D. Ruffner accepted a reprimand and his medical license was placed on probation by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine at a meeting Tuesday.

In a Consent Agreement signed by Ruffner, he agreed the board had enough evidence to conclude that he breached the ethical standard of care when he sold a firearm to a psychiatric patient under his care.

Ruffner's license will be placed on probation for five years, during which time his practice must be monitored by a board-approved physician. In addition Ruffner must pay a $1,000 fine and complete board-approved education in ethics and doctor/patient boundaries.

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