A Pocatello doctor has surrendered his license to practice medicine in the state of Idaho rather than fight allegations that he botched several autopsies.

The Idaho Board of Medicine said in December that an investigation of pathologist Steve M. Skoumal turned up evidence that he let his staffers practice medicine without a license, gave substandard care and abused or exploited patients through his conduct.

Skoumal, who has been licensed in Idaho since 1999 and who has performed autopsies used in several criminal cases, denied the allegations.

Skoumal's attorney Jonathan Volyn told the Idaho Statesman (http://bit.ly/S3pJE7 ) Skoumal was close to retirement anyway and decided fighting the Board of Medicine wasn't worth it. Volyn says Skoumal will keep an inactive license that allows him to work as a consultant.

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Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com