New Mexico hires disgraced doctor

For 23 years, Dr. Ralph Hansen had a solid career in internal medicine and infectious diseases in Los Angeles.

But in 2005, he became a drug addict after popping prescription pills and writing himself bogus prescriptions. Hansen later pleaded no contest to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and was sentenced to five years probation in California, which also yanked his medical license.

However, the state of New Mexico has given Hansen a second chance. Not only did the state give him a license to practice here last year, it hired him as a staff physician at the Department of Health in September.