Associated Press - September 3, 2009 2:44 PM ET

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A federal judge in Kansas has found the head of a New Mexico-based patient advocacy group in contempt of court.

Siobhan (cheh-VOHN') Reynolds is president of the Santa Fe-based Pain Relief Network. Reynolds has defied a grand jury subpoena to turn over material in the federal investigation of a Kansas doctor linked to 59 drug overdose deaths.

In Topeka on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson fined Reynolds and her nonprofit group in contempt of court. Robinson imposed separate fines of $200 a day on Reynolds and the group. The fines take effect in 10 days.

The American Civil Liberties Union is representing Reynolds. An ACLU lawyer says the contempt findings will be appealed.

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