State settles with doctors wrongfully fired when Dunleavy took office

JUNEAU (AP) — The state agreed to pay almost half-a-million dollars in public funds to settle with two psychiatrists who won their lawsuit against Gov. Mike Dunleavy when a federal judge ruled last fall they were wrongfully fired after “political” demands that violated their First Amendment rights.

Under the agreement, announced Feb. 2, the state agreed to pay Anthony Blanford $220,000 and John Bellville $275,000, reflecting lost wages, damages and attorneys’ fees.

The agreement says the payments are subject to legislative approval.

Both worked at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in Anchorage...