State Board of Social Worker Licensure
- Disciplinary Action
current | 2006 | 2005
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002
| 2001 | 2000
2006
BENNETT, JEAN C.
License Number: LC1005
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2003-SOC-423
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/19/06
Summary: Licensee admitted that in late 1988, she and her husband invited
a college student client to live with them, with the thought that it
would provide her with a more stable living environment while the client
attempted to finish school. Soon thereafter, the therapy relationship
terminated and the client moved in with licensee and her husband. Licensee
treated a different client from 1992 to 2002. With respect to this client,
licensee admitted that she dined with the client at the client's house
and at restaurants, spent the night with the client at the client's
home in the client's bed in a non-sexual manner, took the client on
a trip to Vermont and Canada, took the client on a trip to New York
City, attended an academic conference with the client, celebrated Mother's
Day with the client on numerous occasions, and picked the client up
at school during the client's social work degree program. Also, licensee
continued to have contact with the client after licensee's therapeutic
relationship with the client terminated and the client's psychiatrist
requested licensee to cease all contact with the client as detrimental
to the client.
On May 5, 1999, licensee entered into a consent agreement with the
board involving dual or multiple relationships. Many of the activities
summarized above occurred during the 2-year period of consultation that
licensee agreed to as part of the 1999 consent agreement.
In this consent agreement, licensee agreed to a reprimand, a 1-year
suspension and a 5-year probation, said probation to commence upon the
termination of the suspension. Conditions of probation are described
in the consent agreement. During the 1-year suspension period, licensee
shall consult with a licensed clinical social worker for not less than
two and not more than four 1-hour, one-on-one consultation sessions.
During the two years following termination of the suspension, licensee
shall consult for two 1-hour face-to-face consultation sessions per
month in which licensee has practiced under her license.
BOISVERT, CYNTHIA A.
License Number: LSX8825
License Type: Social Worker Conditional
Complaint Number: 2004-SOC-456
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/10/06
Summary: Licensee resigned from the agency where she was employed with
no advance notice, but discussed her departure with her clients before
she left. A parent of a client at the agency stated that several forms
regarding the client child, for whom licensee was the case manager,
contained signatures of the parent dated during this time period that
were not genuine. Licensee denied signing the parent's signature on
any of the documents. However, licensee acknowledged that evidence existed
upon which the board could find that licensee acted dishonestly with
respect to the signatures. Licensee agreed to a censure. Licensee also
agreed to permanently surrender the license, and further agreed that
she will not file an application for any license from the board at any
time in the future.
CLINTON, CAROL
License Number: LC9852
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2006-SOC-2812
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 7/7/06
Summary: Licensee, a licensed master social worker - clinical conditional,
appealed the board's denial of her application for licensure as a licensed
clinical social worker. The board found that licensee practiced social
work during three different periods of time during which licensee did
not receive the consultation required by the board's law and rules.
The board determined that this violation did not require it to deny
her application for licensure as an LCSW. The board granted the license
but imposed a condition of probation requiring licensee to consult with
an LCSW for a minimum period of one hour per month for a period of one
year. At the end of the 1-year probationary period the board will decide
whether consultation should continue.
COLEMAN, MELISSA A.
License Number: LS7548
License Type: Licensed Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2005-SOC-470
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/10/06
Summary: Licensee's client gave licensee personalized gifts and expressed
romantic feelings towards her. Although licensee states that she discussed
and clarified her professional role with the client after receiving
these items and expressions of personal feelings, the client persisted
and provided licensee with two additional letters that also clearly
expressed romantic feelings towards her. Licensee did not sufficiently
alert her supervisors to the client's actions and expression of feelings
for her and did not terminate her services when the client's behavior,
and her acceptance of these items, violated the client/social worker
boundaries which licensee states she attempted to create. Although there
was no romantic relationship between licensee and the client and licensee
did not interact with licensee outside of work hours, licensee did not
sufficiently prevent the client from personalizing the relationship
when she accepted items and correspondence of a personalized nature
from him. Licensee was highly regarded by the agency prior to her termination
by the agency for actions related to this client and there were no other
concerns expressed by the agency about her services to other clients.
Licensee agreed to a warning. Licensee also agreed to consult with a
social worker for a minimum period of 1 hour twice a month for 1 year.
The purpose of the consultation is to provide supervision and direction
with respect to professional boundaries and ethics as a whole and, specifically,
the issues found as violations in this consent agreement.
LOLA, JANET
License Number: LSX9278
License Type: Social Worker Conditional
Complaint Number: 2006-SOC-2488
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/8/06
Summary: Licensee was working in a job as a social worker that required
her to be licensed. Her license expired on October 30, 2005. Licensee
acknowledged that due to a misunderstanding of the rules, under which
she thought she had until October 2006 to renew her license, she continued
to practice after her expiration date until the complaint was filed
in February 2006. Licensee agreed to a warning and a $100 civil penalty.
MAKSIMOWICZ, MARK
License Number: MC9511
License Type: LMSW Conditional Clinical
Complaint Number: 2006-SOC-3198
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 12/12/06
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that he was unaware that his license expired on June 30, 2006 and continued to practice after the expiration date. On October 30, 2006, licensee applied for re-licensure. Licensee agreed to a warning. Licensee agreed to submit documentation of 25 hours of continuing education for the 2004-06 licensing cycle no later than December 31, 2006. Upon timely documentation of the continuing education, the board will issue grant the pending license renewal application.
MORTELLITI, RAYMOND
License Number: LC8690
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2006-SOC-2609
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 12/9/06
Summary: Licensee acknowledged a breach of confidentiality to a prior foster parent of a client, acknowledged that he failed to delete information on a client’s individual service plan that related to a different client for whom the form was earlier used, acknowledged that he provided Tums to an agency client without medical need or physician authorization, acknowledged that he failed to enter a progress note prior to leaving employment, and acknowledged that in a farewell letter to a juvenile client he inappropriately offered to respond if the juvenile wanted to continue to write to him. Licensee agreed to a warning and agreed to consult with a clinical social worker for a at least one hour a month for a minimum period of two years. The purpose of the consultation is to provide supervision and direction with respect to social work ethics as a whole and, specifically, the issues found as violations in the consent agreement. [Note: Consent agreement calls for board review of continued consultation after one year.]
PATRAKIS-SPANGER, LENORE
License Number: LC4005
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2005-SW-483, 2005-SW-484
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/3/06
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that in the summer of 2004 she was providing
individual services to the complainant, and determined that those services
would terminate at the end of the summer. Though licensee has stated
that she was clear in her communications with complainant that her treatment
was ending at the end of August 2004, the complainant indicated that
she did not know that her treatment was terminating. There was no documentation
produced concerning the sessions occurring that summer and leading to
the last session at the end of that summer which in any way indicated
that the complainant's individual treatment was ending. Whatever the
discussions were concerning the status of ongoing treatment, they should
have been included in the documentation. (Beginning in September 2004,
licensee and licensee's agency began to provide treatment to the complainant's
son, which sessions also included the complainant.)
In July 2004 licensee, on behalf of the agency, invited complainant
to participate with her in a conference presentation to be held in California
in November 2004. The invitation was extended at a time when the complainant
was in individual treatment with licensee. In the beginning of November
2004, the complainant indicated that she did not want to participate
in the conference. She perceived that her failure to attend the conference
would impact on her service relationship with licensee and the agency.
Licensee stated that at no time did the complainant ever directly express
any reservations or concerns about participating in the conference other
than general concerns about the need for day care, being away from home
and the like - nor did licensee perceive any.
Licensee acknowledged that these circumstances constitute violations
of board rule and ethics provisions that: (a) require social workers
to take reasonable steps to ensure that documentation in records is
accurate and reflects the services provided, and (b) prohibit social
workers from engaging in dual or multiple relationships with clients
or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential
harm to the client. Licensee agreed to a warning and agreed to consult
with a licensed clinical social worker for a minimum of one hour per
month for a period of one year.
QUIRION, MARC S.
License Number: LC5839
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2005-SOC-465
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/10/06
Summary: Licensee was working as an LCSW dealing with prisoners at a
jail. In the course of an investigation, licensee acknowledged to the
investigator that he had a relapse with the use of cocaine for approximately
six weeks leading up to the interview and had purchased it on approximately
six or seven occasions. Licensee agreed to a warning. Licensee also
agreed to a probationary period during which he shall undergo a substance
abuse assessment and thereafter meet with a substance abuse counselor
face-to-face at least once per month. The probation shall continue until
terminated by the board after receipt and approval of the counselor's
final quarterly report, which is to be submitted in one year. The probation
shall extend for such additional time as is necessary for the licensee
to have maintained at least one continuous year of sobriety.
REDFIELD, LAURIE A.
License Number: LC10317
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2006-SOC-2645, 2006-SOC-2817
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/28/06
Summary: Licensee erroneously determined that she did not have to report
to the Department of Health and Human Services information that a former
unlicensed employee of the agency was sexually involved with a former
juvenile client of the agency, who was still a juvenile. Licensee agreed
to a warning. Licensee also agreed to consult with a LCSW for a minimum
period of an hour an month for six months. At the end of the 6-month
period the consultant shall issue a written recommendation with respect
to licensee's progress and whether consultation should continue. The
board will then determine if consultation will continue.
ROBBINS, JEAN A.
License Number: LC9786
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2005-SOC-2342
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/28/2006
Summary: Licensee was scheduled to make an in-home visit to a client
of her agency. She became concerned that she was tired and, due to work
load and personal family medical issues, not prepared to conduct the
client home visit. She contacted her supervisor to inform her of that
and states that the supervisor told her to bill the hours because she
had done paperwork over the weekend. Licensee thought this would be
unethical but did document a billable direct service visit to the client's
home on October 31, 2005 without actually performing that visit. When
confronted about this, licensee acknowledged her behavior and resigned
her position. Licensee agreed to a warning. Licensee also agreed to
consult with a LCSW for a minimum period of an hour a month for three
months. The purpose of the consultation is to provide supervision and
direction with respect to the general issue of following social worker
ethical principles regardless of the conduct of co-workers or instructions
and examples set by superiors at the agency. At the end of the 3-month
period the consultant shall issue a written recommendation with respect
to licensee's progress and whether consultation should continue. The
board will then determine if consultation will continue.
STEWART, JENNIFER C.
License Number: LC10560
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2006-SOC-2778
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/28/06
Summary: On October 14, 2005, licensee signed a reference form for an
applicant for licensure with the credential including "L.C.S.W."
Licensee had passed the clinical examination for licensure as an LCSW
on May 26, 2005, but did not actually apply for that license until June
2006. Licensee agreed to a warning and a $250 civil penalty.
TORREY, BRUCE W., JR.
License Number: MC6406
License Type: LMSW Conditional Clinical
Complaint Number: 2004-SOC-450
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 2/10/06
Summary: Licensee was working for an agency as a supervisor of workers
who were providing behavioral specialist services to children with developmental
problems. There were two children in one home receiving service from
his agency. Licensee arrived at that home to introduce the new service
provider for one of the children (child #1) to the children's mother.
The provider was not going to provide services to child #2. When they
arrived at the home, a meeting was ongoing in the home between the mother
and service providers for child #2. Those providers were not providing
services to child #1. An extended discussion then occurred concerning
the treatment of child #2. This conversation occurred in front of the
new support worker for child #1 without the consent of the parent. Licensee
agreed to a warning. Licensee also agreed to extend the 32-month consultation
period in effect under a June 13, 2005 Decision and Order by an additional
6 months, for a total consultation period of 38 months. Also, the reporting
period was changed from quarterly to monthly.
ZINK, JUDITH M.
License Number: LC7482
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2003-SOC-427
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 6/19/06
Summary: Licensee treated complainant both individually and as part
of a 4-person group. During the time complainant was in therapy, it
appeared as though licensee blended the role of therapist with that
of a friend. This included inviting group members to attend a performance
of her dance ensemble, and sharing details of her personal/dating life
with group members.
After a parking disagreement with licensee, complainant communicated
her disgust to the group and remarked that "in the past she had
sliced people's throats for crossing her." A member of the group
passed this remark on to licensee. Licensee then shared the throat slicing
statement with her supervisor and made the decision with him to terminate
services. Licensee informed complainant that she was no longer feeling
effective in their work together, especially as complainant was remaining
with her husband, which was contrary to the advice of licensee. Complainant
was informed that it was in her best interest that the licensee end
services. Licensee then reviewed the work that they had done, gave complainant
a list of referrals, and complainant left. Complainant later showed
up uninvited at a group meeting and angrily attempted to rejoin the
group, which licensee refused to allow.
The board held that licensee had engaged in an impermissible dual relationship
by creating a social atmosphere which could blur and confuse the boundary
between therapist and client. The board also held that licensee had
terminated services in too abrupt a manner. Had the termination been
handled over a period of time, then the therapist could have attempted
to deal with the anger and other issues regarding the client's feelings.
The board accepted the testimony of board staff's expert witness that
licensee could have requested another counselor to co-lead the group
if she felt that she or the group was in danger, or that licensee could
have met with complainant alone and spoken with her regarding the threat
and how it affected other members of the group and discussed an appropriate
way to resolve the issue with the group.
The board issued licensee a warning and ordered licensee to consult
with an LCSW for 1-hour sessions twice per month for six months.
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2005
ACETO, KATHRYN A.
License Number: LC10015
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2005-SOC-2073
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/18/05
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she completed only 10 of the 25
hours of continuing education necessary to renew her license. License
agreed to a warning and a $100 civil penalty. Licensee also agreed to
obtain the outstanding 15 hours of continuing education. The board agreed
to renew the license.
BARRETT, PAMELIA
License Number: LC5322
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-413
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/11/05
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she had a dog in her waiting room
when she was meeting an adult client for a first appointment, that she
had to interrupt the session to bring the dog outside, that she subsequently
brought the dog into the session, that the dog twice interrupted the
session by whining, and that licensee attempted to control the dog.
"Respondent has previously received a letter of guidance from
the Board on April 18, 2002 specifically cautioning Respondent 'that
the dog that you have been using as part of the therapy process does
not appear to be well chosen for this purpose or this type of client.'
Respondent indicates that she had terminated using the dog for therapy,
but that another client scheduled on the same day as the client involved
in this complaint had requested to see the dog before terminating therapy.
Respondent indicates that is why she had the dog at the office."
Licensee agreed to a censure and agreed to consult with a social worker
for at least 1 hour twice per month for a period of at least 6 months.
The purpose of the consultation is to provide supervision and direction
with respect to professional boundaries and ethics as a whole and, specifically,
the issues found as violations in this consent agreement. Licensee also
agreed that she will have no dogs on the premises of her social work
practice during the period of consultation and that she will not have
the dog involved in this complaint, "Sunny," on the premises
of her social work practice at any time during the dog's life.
CLEAVES, LINDA S.
License Number: LS4687
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-447
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/5/05
Summary: The complaint charged that licensee provided marital counseling
to the complainant's husband, who subsequently entered into a romantic
relationship with licensee and divorced complainant. Licensee admitted
to the romantic relationship with the complainant's husband, but stated
that it did not begin until after they terminated counseling.
"[Licensee] maintains that she was working as a Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor in the job through which she developed the counseling
relationship with [the complainant's husband] and was not working as
a Licensed Social Worker. Pursuant to a Consent Agreement with the Board
of Counseling Professionals Licensure, dated June 14, 2005, [licensee]
acknowledged committing disciplinary violation under that Board's Code
of Ethics, which related to initiating and maintaining dual relationships
with clients and engaging in sexual activities or advances. Social work
licensees are subject to essentially identical ethical constraints.
Through that Consent Agreement she agreed to not apply for licensure
at any level with that Board at any time in the future."
Licensee agreed to voluntarily surrender her social work license and
also agreed that she will not apply for licensure at any level with
the board at any time in the future and if she should so apply, the
board is not obligated to entertain any such application.
DANCE, ELIZABETH S.
License Number: MC7864
License Type: LMSW Conditional Clinical
Complaint Number: SW-397
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/5/05
Summary: Licensee admitted to writing a very personal letter to a prison
inmate following four one-on-one clinical counseling sessions with the
inmate. Licensee agreed to a censure and to monthly 1-hour consultations
with a supervising licensed clinical social worker for a period of 6
months. The purpose of the consultation is to provide supervision and
direction with respect to professional boundaries and ethics as a whole
and, specifically, the issues found as violations in this Consent Agreement.
DAY, DUSKA J.
License Number: LS2355
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: 2004-SOC-455
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 12/9/05
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she was working at an agency providing
case management services to families with children with developmental
disabilities. She provided a resignation letter to her employer on the
same day it became effective and did not provide any oral notice to
the employer prior to that time concerning her intention to resign.
Licensee asserts that she began informing clients of her decision to
leave the agency almost a month before her termination date. However,
there was no documentation in any client files concerning conversations
with clients about her termination. However, there were notes concerning
activities to occur after her termination date without any indication
that she had notified the client that she would not be at the agency
to handle that activity. Licensee agreed to a warning. Licensee also
agreed to consult with a licensed clinical social worker for one hour
twice a month for a period of one year.
DYE, DOUGLAS A.
License Number: MC9825
License Type: LMSW Conditional Clinical
Complaint Number: SW-474
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/2/05
Summary: Licensee was licensed in the State of Massachusetts as a Licensed
Certified Social Worker from August 11, 2000 until the present time.
On September 7, 2004, licensee moved to Maine and began performing the
duties of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maine and affixing his
signature to any necessary documents as "L.C.S.W., M.A." after
his signature. He was under the mistaken impression that he did not
need an additional license to practice clinical social work in Maine.
Shortly before submitting an application for licensure to the board
on March 7, 2005, Respondent learned that he needed to have a separate
license in Maine from the board. He ceased practice of clinical social
work upon learning of that licensing requirement. Licensee agreed to
a warning and a $250 civil penalty. The board agreed to grant licensee's
pending application for licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker,
Conditional - Clinical.
KUECK, WILLIAM A.
License Number: Clinical Social Worker
License Type: LC3494
Complaint Number: SW-475
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/2/05
Summary: Licensee was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker until his license
expired on March 31, 2004. He did not file a renewal application until
November 3, 2004. In the interim, he had continued to work in the Cape
Elizabeth schools as a social worker providing social work services.
Licensee agreed to a warning and a $250 civil penalty.
LAPOINTE, CYNTHIA A.
License Number: LS6279
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-431, SW-432
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/5/05
Summary: "These two complaints were brought by different complainants
about the same circumstances. Licensee was employed by the Maine Department
of Human Services as an adoption caseworker. She was working with the
complainants in SW-432 in connection with their possible adoption of
a child, who was living with foster parents in the custody of the Department
of Human Services. Although the complaint had to do with numerous incidents
involved in the relationship between the adopting family and the Licensee,
this Consent Agreement focuses on the MACWIS entry made in the Department
of Human Services, Bureau of Child and Family Services. This summary
was dated in the MACWIS system as March 18, 2003 at the request of the
Respondent's supervisor. It was printed on November 10, 2003. However,
it was written at some point after March 20, 2003.
Some of the details in this entry, which portrayed the adopting parents
in a negative light, distorted the context in which actions occurred.
These entries were placed in the system after the adoption fell through
with the proposed adopting parents withdrawing from the adoption process
for that child. Up to that time DHS was pursuing completion of the adoption.
Under NASW Code Provision, 3.04(A), 'Social workers should take reasonable
steps to ensure that documentation and records as accurate [sic] and
reflects the services provided.'"
Licensee agreed to a warning and to 1-hour consultations with a Licensed
Clinical Social Worker twice per month for a period of 6 months. The
purpose of the consultation is to provide supervision and direction
with respect to ethics as a whole and, specifically, the issues found
as violations in this Consent Agreement.
LOVERING, MATT
License Number: Social Worker Conditional
License Type: LSX7461
Complaint Number: SW-416
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 4/28/05
Summary: Licensee removed copies and original patient/client records
from their authorized custodians and did not protect the confidentiality
of those documents. At least the original records were removed from
their rightful custodian without permission or authorization. Licensee
did not accept responsibility for any of his actions regarding his failure
to protect client/patient records. Additionally, the removal of the
original records from their rightful custodians for at least 6 months
may have caused serious harm to those clients/patients since the treating
providers might have previously relied on same to render effective treatment.
The board considers this violation to be extremely serious and is concerned
regarding licensee's mental state as evidenced by his responses to the
board.
The board issued licensee a reprimand and ordered him to pay $500 hearing
costs. The board ordered licensee, if currently practicing under licensure
from this board, to participate in an assessment of his psychological
condition. The purpose of the assessment is to provide guidance to the
board with respect to licensee's fitness to practice as a social worker.
If not practicing under licensure from this board, licensee shall not
practice until he participates in a assessment as described above.
The board further ordered licensee, if practicing under licensure from
this board, to receive face-to-face consultant interviews by a licensed
clinical social worker for a period of up to 2 years. The purpose of
the consultation is to provide supervision and direction with respect
to (1) issues of confidentiality regarding patient/client records, (2)
social work ethics as a whole, (3) anger and anxiety issues relating
to the complaint in this matter, and (4) assisting licensee to accept
responsibility for his actions. If not practicing under licensure from
this board, licensee shall not practice until he commences consultation
as described herein.
MAYNARD, CATHERINE M.
License Number: Social Worker Conditional
License Type: LSX6684
Complaint Number: 2005-SOC-2072
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/18/05
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she did not complete any of the
25 hours of continuing education necessary to renew her license due
to a change in employment. License agreed to a warning and a $100 civil
penalty. Licensee also agreed to obtain the outstanding 25 hours of
continuing education. The board agreed to renew the license.
McCABE, MEREDITH
License Number: LC912
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-489
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 9/8/05
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that her license expired on May 31, 2004.
She moved from her residence in 2003 and provided a forwarding address
to the Post Office. Either that address had expired at the time her
renewal application was sent to her, or there was some other delivery
problem. She does not recall receiving the renewal application. Regardless,
she understands that it was her obligation to promptly provide the board
with her current address at the time she moved. She did not file a renewal
application until July 26, 2005. In the interim, she continued to work
as a school social worker. Licensee did not discover her omission until
she was renewing her malpractice insurance and she then promptly applied
to renew her license. Licensee agreed to a warning and a $500 civil
penalty. The board agreed to issue licensee a license for the 2005-07
license cycle.
RICHARDSON, ERIC E.
License Number: LC3480
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-352
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 10/14/05
Summary: Licensee was convicted in 2003 of three counts of engaging
in a sexual act with a client, which is a Class C crime. These acts
resulted in a prison term of three years. Licensee did not appear at
the hearing and presented no proof that he has been sufficiently rehabilitated
to warrant the public trust.
Licensee's license expired in 2002. The board issued a licensee a reprimand,
fined licensee $1500 per violation, for a total fine of $4500, and ordered
licensee to pay $334 hearing costs. The board noted that if licensee
had possessed an active social worker's license at time of hearing in
this matter, the board would have revoked the license. The board strongly
discouraged licensee from reapplying for licensure.
SITES, SANDY K.
License Number: LC3382
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-459
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 10/14/05
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she consented to be named as the
responsible party on a medical power of attorney drafted for the client.
Licensee loaned the client a table after the client proposed to buy
the table from licensee. Licensee also took care of the client's cat
when the client refused to enter the hospital for urgently needed care
unless the cat was taken care of.
These actions constituted a prohibited dual relationship. Licensee
agreed to a warning. Licensee also agreed to monthly face-to-face consultations
of at least one hour in duration for a period of one year with a consultant
social worker. The purpose of the consultation is to provide supervision
and direction with respect to professional boundaries and ethics as
a whole and, specifically, the issues found as violations in this consent
agreement.
SNOW, PENELOPE F.
License Number: MC6663
License Type: LMSW Conditional Clinical
Complaint Number: SW-493
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 9/8/05
Summary: Licensee failed to complete any of the 25 hours of continuing
education required for renewal of her license. Licensee agreed to a
$250 civil penalty, agreed to make up the outstanding continuing education,
and agreed to submit proof of completion of continuing education with
her next application for license renewal or license upgrade.
STANTON, SUSANNAH R.
License Number: LSX8085
License Type: Social Worker Conditional
Complaint Number: 2004-SOC-2074
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/18/05
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she did not complete any of the
25 hours of continuing education necessary to renew her license. License
agreed to a warning and a $100 civil penalty. Licensee also agreed to
obtain the outstanding 25 hours of continuing education. The board agreed
to renew the license.
TORREY, BRUCE W., JR.
License Number: MC6406
License Type: LMSW Conditional Clinical
Complaint Number: SW-418, SW-419, SW-388
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 6/13/05
Summary: Licensee was employed as a supervisor of case managers at an
agency providing mental health services. Licensee violated the applicable
code of ethics by engaging in a sexual relationship with one of the
case managers he supervised. In addition, licensee failed to complete
the number of consultation sessions required by a consent agreement
that licensee entered into with the board on September 13, 2002. For
the unethical sexual relationship with a supervisee, the board issued
a reprimand and suspended the license for 90 days. For failure to complete
the required consultations, the board ordered licensee to consult with
a supervisor for a minimum of 1-hour face-to-face sessions each week
for a period of 32 months. The purpose of the consultation is to provide
supervision and direction with respect to professional boundaries and
ethics as a whole and, specifically, issues relating to violations of
law and the 2002 consent agreement found by this decision and order.
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2004
HANSCOM, MEGAN STILES
License Number: LSX8846
License Type:
Complaint Number: SW-429
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 9/17/04
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she accelerated her announced resignation
date from her employment with a private agency. Although licensee indicated
that she did inform her clients of her resignation, telephone message
records of the agency indicate that at least some clients had not been
notified and did not understand that licensee was no longer there to
provide services. Licensee agreed to a censure and to monthly consultation
with a LCSW for one year of full-time employment as a social worker.
LINDSEY, LYNNE D.
License Number: LC4019
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-349
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/19/04
Summary: Licensee acknowledged: (a) that licensee and her client both
attended Christmas dinner at licensee's sister's house with their spouses
and approximately thirteen other people; (b) that licensee and her spouse,
and client and her spouse, participated in preparatory discussions involving
the start-up of a new church of which licensee's spouse would be pastor.
Shortly after learning that the client planned to join the new church,
the clinical relationship between licensee and the client was terminated;
(c) that licensee had one-on-one meetings with the client at restaurants
on two or three occasions in the months immediately after terminating
treatment and while organizational meetings relating to the new church
were occurring and while the client was planning on attending licensee's
husband's church; (d) that licensee has been unable to produce any treatment
notes or records of her client, other than billing records showing the
dates of treatment for a period of approximately one year of regular
ongoing treatment of the client. Licensee has records of her other treatment
of the client, but does not know whether the missing records were destroyed
by water damage or lost in the course of several moves.
Licensee acknowledged that this conduct violated code of ethics provisions
involving conflict of interest, dual or multiple relationships, and
proper storage of records. Licensee agreed to a censure and a $1000
civil penalty. Licensee also agreed to consult with a licensed clinical
social worker in face-to-face interviews for a minimum of one hour every
two weeks for a period of at least one year. The purpose of the consultation
is to provide supervision and direction with respect to professional
boundaries and ethics as a whole and, specifically, the issues found
as violations in this consent agreement.
PATTISON, PAUL
License Number: LC2797
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-422
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 7/9/04
Summary: Licensee's client had attended a Christian college and had
made licensee aware of her conservative values and faith. The client
dressed for sessions in the manner that had been required by her conservative
Christian college and in the manner she thought was required for her
current work as well. At their final session, licensee asked client
if she always dressed like that for work and commented that she seemed
a little overdressed for work. Licensee also used crude language in
discussing intimacy issues with the client. The client felt that her
conservative Christian background was not being respected or recognized
by these behaviors of the licensee and felt that she was being put down
or second-guessed as dressing inappropriately when she was dressing
in the manner in which she felt comfortable. Licensee agreed to a warning.
TRUE, ROBERT A.
License Number: LC1706
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-373
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 9/17/04
Summary: Licensee stipulated that he committed three disciplinary violations
involving sexual contact with a client and dual relationships. Licensee
voluntarily and permanently surrendered his license and agreed that
he will not file an application for any license from the board at any
time in the future. Licensee also agreed to pay $500 investigative costs.
ZANGHI, MARTIN S.
License Number: LM4399
License Type: Master Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-399
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/11/04
Summary: An employee as to whom licensee had supervisory authority alleged
that on a work-related automobile trip licensee made comments and made
physical contact that the employee interpreted as being of a sexually
suggestive nature indicating that licensee was wishing to initiate something
more than a professional relationship with the employee. Licensee did
not admit any of the specific facts alleged by the employee. Licensee
did not acknowledge actually committing a violation. The board made
no finding as to whether licensee did or did not commit the alleged
disciplinary violation.
Licensee indicated that he does not need his license in connection
with his work and does not anticipate wanting or needing a license in
the future. Licensee agreed to voluntarily and permanently surrender
his license to the board.
ZEGEL, Laura M.
License Number: LC4771
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-321
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 5/29/02 (approximate); Decision
on Remand dated 5/17/04.
Summary: Licensee violated code of ethics by discouraging client from
client's goal of applying for insurance reimbursement without fully
assisting client in this effort and without assessing whether client
understood insurance-related issues, which resulted in the termination
of a beneficial therapeutic relationship. The board issued licensee
a censure, placed licensee on probation for six months, and ordered
licensee to pay $1150 hearing costs. As a condition of probation, the
board ordered licensee to successfully complete a course of one hour
consultation sessions twice per month with a board-approved LCSW in
the area of billing/payment practices, including issues related to self-determination.
The consultant is to issue quarterly reports to the board. After receipt
of the final report, the board will decide whether the terms of probation
have been met.
Licensee appealed to Superior Court, which affirmed the board's decision.
Licensee then appealed to the Law Court. The Law Court rejected licensee's
challenges arising from (a) the testimony of the board complaint officer
at hearing, and (b) the disparity between the sanctions contained in
a consent agreement earlier offered by the board, which licensee declined
to accept, and the sanctions imposed at hearing. However, the Law Court
held that for two reasons, the board abused its discretion in imposing
sanctions. First the court held, where the expense involved in obtaining
semimonthly consultation was significant, the board erred in imposing
hearing costs without inquiring into licensee's ability to pay the costs.
Second, even though the sanctions imposed by the board lay within the
board's statutory authority, the board erred in failing to make findings
to explain why it decided to impose the particular sanctions that it
chose. The Law Court vacated the sanctions imposed by the board and
remanded the case for further proceedings. In all other respects, the
Law Court affirmed the decision of the board.
On remand, the board re-imposed the same sanctions it had ordered following
the first hearing. Based on the testimony presented, the board found
that licensee had the financial ability to both procure the counseling
ordered by the board and pay $1150 costs. The board also explained its
rationale for the consultation requirement, censure and costs.
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2003
ADAMS, ELIZABETH L.
License Number: LC6499
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-372
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 5/19/03
Summary: Licensee committed conflict of interest and non-sexual boundary
violations with respect to a client. These included urging the client
to form and chair a group to lobby the Legislature for reimbursement
legislation favorable to licensee and other providers; requesting the
client to refer potential new clients to licensee at licensee's new
office location; restaurant meetings, personal discussions and poetry
exchanges unrelated to therapy between licensee and client; involving
the client in role playing for a purpose unrelated to the client's therapy;
and requesting the client to assist at a fundraising concert, the proceeds
of which were mostly used to pay for licensee's airfare to El Salvador
to train individuals there in therapy techniques.
The board issued licensee a reprimand. The board ordered licensee to
obtain 1-hour consultations twice per month from a board-approved LCSW
for a period of 2 years. The board also ordered licensee to pay $1898.40
hearing costs.
BROPHY, LAURIE A.
License Number: LS8188
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-390
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/14/03
Summary: Licensee worked for an agency providing social work services.
Licensee acknowledged that on several occasions she inaccurately recorded
the amount of service time spent with a client in order to increase
the service time to the minimum allowed for the agency to be reimbursed
for providing the services. Licensee agreed to a warning and a $250
civil penalty.
DONOVAN, PAUL D., JR.
License Number: LS3030
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-421
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/14/03
Summary: Licensee's license expired on August 31, 2003. Licensee acknowledged
that he obtained only 10 of the 25 contact hours of continuing professional
education required for renewal of the license. Licensee agreed to complete
the outstanding 15 hours by April 1, 2003 and agreed to complete by
September 1, 2003 12 of the 25 hours required for renewal during the
current licensing period. Licensee also agreed to a warning and a $150
civil penalty. The board agreed to renew licensee's license.
ESTES, LINDA S.
License Number: LS5639
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-348
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 9/12/03
Summary: Licensee admitted: (a) that she took possession of an oil painting
from a client, which she returned to the client after the client called
licensee and requested it back, (b) that she had her name put on the
client's safe deposit box, which contained between $2000 and $3000,
and that she accessed the box to obtain money to give to the client,
and (c) that she shared numerous details of her personal life with the
client, which disclosures helped to create an over-identification of
the client with licensee. Licensee agreed to a reprimand. Licensee also
agreed to meet for semi-monthly one hour face-to-face consultations
with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker consultant for a minimum period
of 2 years to obtain supervision and direction with respect to professional
boundaries and ethics as a whole and, specifically, the issues found
as violations in the consent agreement.
JANSEN, BROOKE S.
License Number: LS4829
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-407
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 4/11/03
Summary: Licensee's license expired on October 31, 2002. Licensee acknowledged
that she failed to obtain the 25 contact hours of continuing professional
education required for license renewal. Licensee agreed to complete
25 contact hours by May 15, 2003. The board agreed to renew the licensee's
license.
KIMBALL, BRENDA
License Number: LSX6755
License Type: Social Worker Conditional
Complaint Number: SW-379
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 10/10/03
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she became sexually involved with
a client prior to the termination of the social worker/client relationship,
and resided with the client in a sexual relationship afterwards. Licensee
agreed to a reprimand and also agreed to voluntarily surrender her license.
LAPIERRE, SUSAN A.
License Number: LC5745
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-383
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 2/14/03
Summary: Licensee admitted that she provided transportation to a minor
client for clinical appointments with herself and other providers because
the minor child's parent was not available to provide transportation.
Licensee agreed to a warning.
PASTRANA, JR., SANTOS
License Number: SW1558
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-315
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 4/11/03
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that as part of his work for the Department
of Human Services, he was to transport a violent juvenile sex offender
to Utah from Maine. He needed petty cash for that trip and took $300
out of the Department's Life's Skills Account using a client name that
he knew was not the juvenile whom he was transporting to Utah and he
recorded the stated purpose as art supplies and equipment, which he
also knew to be inaccurate. Licensee acknowledged that he exercised
poor judgment in knowingly entering the wrong client name and purpose
for the expenses related to the Utah client. Licensee agreed to a warning.
PEEK, RICHARD G.
License Number: LSX7958
License Type: Social Worker Conditional
Complaint Number: SW-386
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/13/03
Summary: Licensee assisted a client with discharge planning in connection
with the discharge of the client from the crisis stabilization unit
at the psychiatric unit of an area hospital. That client was also a
worker at the hospital with whom licensee had had some prior contact
in his and her work capacities. This was a discharge from a one-night
stay at the crisis unit. Licensee and the client eventually became involved
emotionally and in a physically intimate way. Licensee agreed to a reprimand
and agreed to voluntarily surrender his license to the board. The board
agreed that licensee may apply for a license from the board at any time
in the future. Licensee agreed that if he is relicensed he will meet
for semi-monthly one hour face-to-face consultations with a Licensed
Clinical Social Worker for a minimum period of 1 year to obtain supervision
and direction with respect to professional boundaries and ethics as
a whole and, specifically, the issues found as violations in the consent
agreement.
PEOPLES, CYNTHIA
License Number: EXPIRED LM7478 EXPIRED
License Type: EXPIRED Master Social Worker EXPIRED
Complaint Number: SW-400
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/8/03
Summary: Licensee admitted that she provided supervision for over a
year to a conditional licensee after licensee's own license (LMSW) had
expired. The result was that the conditional licensee was practicing
without the required supervision and did not receive credit for social
work experience and consultation hours under the conditional license.
Licensee agreed to a warning and a $500 civil penalty.
SCHAMLE, RICHARD C.
License Number: LC5284
License Type: Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-375
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 1/10/03
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that he entered into a social work relationship
with "P," who was previously divorced from "E."
That relationship involved assisting P in negotiations and other ancillary
matters relating to post-divorce legal proceedings concerning the custody
of P and E's minor children. Prior to this time, licensee and his spouse
and children had a personal relationship with P and E and their family.
Licensee and his wife had P join them for Christmas dinner in 2002 while
licensee had the aforesaid contemporaneous professional social work
relationship with P. Licensee acknowledged that the social work relationship
violated the applicable code of ethics provision relating to conflicts
of interest and dual relationships. Licensee agreed to a reprimand.
Licensee also agreed to meet for semi-monthly one hour face-to-face
consultations with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker consultant for
a minimum period of 1 year to obtain supervision and direction with
respect to dual relationship issues and social work ethics as a whole
and, specifically, the issues outlined in the consent agreement.
TOCCI, SUSAN A.
License Number: Clinical Social Worker
License Type: LC5745
Complaint Number: SW-383
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 2/14/03
Summary: Licensee admitted that she provided transportation to a minor
client for clinical appointments with herself and other providers because
the minor child's parent was not available to provide transportation.
Licensee agreed to a warning.
VARNUM, DENA
License Number: LSX7603
License Type: Social Worker Conditional
Complaint Number: SW-389
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/14/03
Summary: Licensee worked for an agency providing social work services.
Licensee acknowledged that on several occasions she inaccurately recorded
the amount of service time spent with a client in order to increase
the service time to the minimum allowed for the agency to be reimbursed
for providing the services. Licensee agreed to a warning and a $250
civil penalty.
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2002
ALBERT, Fernand R.
License Number: LS5125
License Type: Licensed Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-353
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/8/02
Summary: Licensee was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct and assault
involving two clients of the licensee who were also residents of a facility
at which licensee worked. Licensee surrendered the license, was issued
a reprimand, and was also barred from future licensure as a licensed
social worker.
ATKINS, Cindy Lou
License Number: LS6967
License Type: Social Worker
Case Number: SW-355
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/01/02
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she held herself out as a licensed
master social worker when her actual level of licensure was licensed
social worker. (The board does not have information that licensee, in
fact, practiced beyond the scope of her LSW license.) Licensee was issued
a warning and agreed to voluntarily surrender her license to practice
social work in Maine.
COBURN, TRACY L. AUBE
License Number: LS7910
License Type: Social Worker
Case Number: SW-374
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/8/02
Summary: Licensee, who was responsible for documenting the status of
services provided to agency client on a monthly basis, acknowledged
that she created false documentation indicating contacts with client's
family that did not in fact occur. Licensee agreed to a censure and
a $1500 civil penalty. Licensee also agreed to meet for monthly 1 hour
face-to-face consultations with a social worker to obtain supervision
and direction with respect to: (a) the importance and process of creating
accurate and sufficient client records, and (b) social work ethics as
a whole. Monthly consultations must occur in any month in which licensee
practices social work and shall continue until licensee has practiced
social work for the equivalent of 1 year of full time employment (i.e.,
2000 work hours).
CONNOLLY, Carol
License Number: LC138
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Case Number: Maine Supreme Judicial Court 2002 ME 37
Disposition: Maine Supreme Judicial Court Decision dated 2/27/02
Summary: Board found that licensee (1) released confidential information
about ward to respite care provider without consent of guardian and
(2) released confidential information about ward without consent of
guardian in a "To Whom It May Concern" letter given to respite
care provider for filing in court in connection with respite care provider's
unopposed petition seeking guardianship of ward. Licensee was issued
two $250 civil penalties, one for each violation, for a total of $500,
and was put on probation for one year. As a condition of probation,
licensee was ordered to meet for biweekly one hour face-to-face consultations
with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker consultant to obtain supervision
and direction with respect to ethical issues, especially issues surrounding
confidentiality and guardianship. District Court affirmed decision of
board. Supreme Court reversed finding #1, affirmed finding #2, and remanded
matter to District Court to remand to board for further proceedings.
On remand, the board imposed only one $250 civil penalty (instead of
two) and left the one year probation and consultation penalty from its
earlier order in effect.
HASKELL, Tracy
License Number: MC8122
License Type: Licensed Master Social Worker - Conditional Clinical
Case Number: SW-347
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/10/02
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she practiced beyond the scope of
her license by entering a diagnosis different than that arrived at by
her supervising LCSW and not informing the supervisor of her action.
Licensee was issued a warning. Licensee was ordered to complete one-hour
face-to-face consultation sessions with a board-approved LCSW every
two weeks for a minimum period of six months to provide licensee with
supervision and direction with respect to professional boundaries and
ethics.
JACQUES, Ricky P.
License Number: LS7198
License Type: Social Worker
Case Number: SW-343
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 1/11/02
Summary: Licensee admitted that he failed to disclose criminal convictions
on his license application. Licensee was issued a warning and a $200
civil penalty.
MEDVE, Karen C.
License Number: MC7970
License Type: Licensed Master Social Worker - Conditional Clinical
Case Number: SW-338
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 1/11/02
Summary: Licensee committed deceit in the application process by falsely
stating on her license application that she had not been convicted of
a crime when in fact she had recently pled guilty to a crime in Michigan,
but the court had deferred accepting the plea in the awareness that
licensee "would be interviewing for jobs in another state and was
concerned about her having to answer questions about her case."
Licensee's attorney in Michigan had advised her in writing that both
he and the presiding Judge in her criminal case believed that she could
'answer any employment application question about convictions by stating
you had not been convicted of any felony inasmuch as the Judge had decided
not to accept the plea until sentencing.'" Licensee was issued
a warning and a $200 civil penalty.
PERRYMAN, Bret A.
License Number: LSX7833
License Type: Licensed Social Worker - Conditional
Case Number: SW-340
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/20/02
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that he submitted a forged college transcript
as proof of the academic degree required for licensure. Licensee permanently
surrendered his license and agreed to not seek another license from
the board in the future.
REUTER, James W.
License Number: LC5914
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Case Number: SW-300
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/20/02
Summary: Licensee was employed by a social services agency and also
maintained a private practice. Licensee acknowledged that: (a) he did
not truthfully respond to his employer concerning the scope of services
he performed in his private practice that related to an individual with
whom he also had professional contact in the course of his employment,
(b) his private practice review of the above-mentioned individual while
the individual continued to be an agency client for whom licensee had
ongoing supervisory responsibilities as part of his employment violated
applicable conflict of interest provisions, and (c) he violated applicable
conflict of interest provisions by serving as supervisor of a child's
multi-disciplinary team for his employer while simultaneously evaluating
the child's mother in his private practice to, among other things evaluate
the reasonableness of possible reunification efforts between mother
and child. Licensee was issued a warning and three $300 civil penalties,
for a total of $900. Licensee was ordered to complete one-hour face-to-face
consultation sessions with a board-approved LCSW every two weeks for
a minimum period of one year to provide licensee with supervision and
direction with respect to professional boundaries and ethics.
TORREY, BRUCE JR.
License Number: LM6406
License Type: Social Worker
Case Number: SW-388
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 9/13/02
Summary: The Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors issued a decision
and order on September 13, 1998 directing Torrey, a licensee of that
board, to receive consultation during a period of probation. Torrey
never received that consultation and on April 14, 2000 that board denied
Torrey's application to renew his alcohol and drug counselor's registration.
Torrey has now applied to the State Board of Social Worker Licensure
to become a licensed master social worker. The board agreed to issue
Torrey a license as a licensed master social worker. Torrey agreed to
meet for weekly 1 hour face-to-face consultations with a social worker
for a minimum period of 2 years to obtain supervision and direction
with respect to the practice of social work.
ZEGEL, Laura M.
License Number: LC4771
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-321
Disposition: Board Decision and Order dated 5/29/02 (approximate); Decision
on Remand dated 5/17/04.
Summary: Board found that licensee Licensee violated code of ethics
by discouraging client from client's goal of applying for insurance
reimbursement without fully assisting client in this effort and without
assessing whether client understood insurance-related issues, which
resulted in the termination of a beneficial therapeutic relationship.
Licensee was issued The board issued licensee a censure, placed licensee
on probation for six months, and ordered licensee to pay $1150 hearing
costs. As a condition of probation, the board ordered licensee was ordered
to successfully complete a course of one hour consultation sessions
twice per month with a board-approved LCSW in the area of billing/payment
practices, including issues related to self-determination. The consultant
is to issue quarterly reports to the board. After receipt of the final
report, the board will decide whether the terms of probation have been
met.
(Note: Case is on appeal to Superior Court.)Licensee appealed to Superior
Court, which affirmed the board's decision. Licensee then appealed to
the Law Court. The Law Court rejected licensee's challenges arising
from (a) the testimony of the board complaint officer at hearing, and
(b) the disparity between the sanctions contained in a consent agreement
earlier offered by the board, which licensee declined to accept, and
the sanctions imposed at hearing. However, the Law Court held that for
two reasons, the board abused its discretion in imposing sanctions.
First the court held, where the expense involved in obtaining semimonthly
consultation was significant, the board erred in imposing hearing costs
without inquiring into licensee's ability to pay the costs. Second,
even though the sanctions imposed by the board lay within the board's
statutory authority, the board erred in failing to make findings to
explain why it decided to impose the particular sanctions that it chose.
The Law Court vacated the sanctions imposed by the board and remanded
the case for further proceedings. In all other respects, the Law Court
affirmed the decision of the board.
On remand, the board re-imposed the same sanctions it had ordered following
the first hearing. Based on the testimony presented, the board found
that licensee had the financial ability to both procure the counseling
ordered by the board and pay $1150 costs. The board also explained its
rationale for the consultation requirement, censure and costs.
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2001
BOWERS, Paulette
License Number: LS4981
License Type: Licensed Social Worker
Case Number: SW-320
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/18/01
Summary: Licensee admitted to violating a client's right to confidentiality
by revealing the client's medical status to another client. Licensee
was issued a warning and was placed on probation for 90 days.
DERBOVEN, Rogena
License Number: LSX7137
License Type: Licensed Social Worker - Clinical
Case Number: SW-299
Disposition: Board Order dated 3/9/01
Summary: Licensee, who was formerly employed by a social services agency,
misrepresented to District Attorney's office that she was at that time
affiliated with the agency. Licensee should have been aware that such
misrepresentation of her relationship to the agency could, as in fact
it did, mislead personnel at the District Attorney's office into believing
that licensee's call to the District Attorney's office was based on
a professional therapist relationship with the boy about whom licensee
contacted the District Attorney's office. Licensee was issued a $1500
civil penalty and was placed on probation until such time as she successfully
completes twelve consecutive months of consulting with an approved supervising
consultant.
DeWITT, Gregory
License Number: MC2698
License Type: Licensed Master Social Worker
Case Number: SW-324
Disposition: Consent Agreement, dated 7/13/01
Summary: Licensee admitted to consuming alcohol at dinner prior to an
evening family therapy session. Licensee was placed on probation for
one year, or until licensee has maintained one continuous year of sobriety.
As a condition of probation, licensee was ordered to continue in an
approved aftercare program for treatment of his alcohol addiction and
to meet face-to-face with a substance abuse counselor on a monthly basis.
HARTNAGLE, Karen
License Number: LS3034
License Type: Licensed Social Worker
Case Number: SW-317
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/8/01
Summary: Licensee admitted that she administered a self-concept test
to schoolchildren to determine the effectiveness of a dance program
without first obtaining their parents' voluntary and written informed
consent. Licensee was issued a warning and ordered to complete three
contact hours of continuing professional education concerning the requirements
relating to obtaining a valid informed consent before conducting research
and evaluation.
KIMBALL, Jody L.
License Number: MC4059
License Type: Licensed Master Social Worker - Conditional Clinical
Case Number: SW-294
Disposition: Board Order dated 10/12/01
Summary: Licensee admitted that she engaged in a sexual relationship
with a client of her place of employment. Following an adjudicatory
hearing, the board found that licensee had no remorse regarding the
boundary violation, that licensee did not recognize nor admit that serious
damage was done to the client, that licensee began her personal relationship
with the client only a few days after client had been hospitalized for
mental health related reasons, and that licensee did not understand
the power and authority that a social worker has over a client. The
board refused to renew licensee's license and ordered her to pay $2,100
for hearing costs incurred by the board. [Note: Case was appealed to
Superior Court. Licensee dismissed her appeal after the court refused
to stay the board order pending appeal.]
LANGELIER, Donna
License Number: LS1527
License Type: Licensed Social Worker
Case Number: SW-329
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 7/13/01
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that after a court appearance was canceled
she led her employer to believe that she had been absent from work to
testify in court. Licensee also acknowledged that she altered a subpoena
to falsely document her claim to have been in court that day. Licensee
was issued a warning and a $500 civil penalty.
RUSH, MARK E.
License Number: LS2531
License Type: Social Worker
Complaint Number: SW-334
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/10/01
Summary: Licensee, manager of a social services agency, determined that
the agency would not report to the Department of Human Services potential
instances of child abuse involving a client family. Licensee agreed
to a warning and a $250 civil penalty.
SWANK Jr., Joseph
License Number: LSX7156
License Type: Licensed Social Worker - Clinical
Case Number: SW-314
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 1/12/01
Summary: Complaint alleged that licensee had engaged in communications
with former clients at the County Jail regarding termination of licensee's
employment, which were inciteful and had no therapeutic value to the
clients. Licensee agreed to permanently surrender his license to practice
social work and is permanently barred from future licensure as a social
worker at any level in Maine.
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2000
AMADON, Kimberly E.
License Number: LC7662
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Case Number: SW-289
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/12/00
Summary: Licensee admitted that she failed to disclose a criminal conviction
on her license application. Licensee was issued a reprimand and a $250
civil penalty.
HIRSHON, Roberta L.
License Number: LC3500
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Case Number: SW-270
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 03/07/00
Summary: Licensee admitted that she failed to maintain appropriate boundaries
and relationships with a client when licensee traded professional counseling
services for household services such as cleaning, painting and child
care. Licensee also engaged in work beyond the scope of her license.
Licensee was issued a reprimand and a $1000 civil penalty.
LAWLER, James O.
License Number: LS4994
License Type: Licensed Social Worker
Case Number: SW-271
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/12/00
Summary: Licensee was charged with engaging in inappropriate and grossly
negligent conduct by having an affair with a client. Although licensee
did not admit the charges, licensee permanently surrendered his license
with no future eligibility for licensure as a social worker in Maine.
LEWIN, Myrna N.
License Number: LC1092
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Case Number: SW-248
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/27/00
Summary: Licensee, who had been previously disciplined for a dual relationship,
admitted that she violated the earlier consent agreement by failing
to discuss with her supervisor foreseeable dual relationship and boundary
issues arising from licensee's offer of employment to a social worker
who was a former client of the licensee. Licensee was put on probation
for two years. As conditions of probation licensee was directed to meet
face to face with a supervising consultant no less frequently than twice
per calendar month and to submit to the board an article relating to
dual relationship issues in a rural state, such article to be of a quality
suitable for appearance in a peer-reviewed publication.
MOTLEY, JR., Edward
License Number: MC5547
License Type: Licensed Master Social Worker - Conditional Clinical
Case Number: SW-288
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/21/00
Summary: Licensee was charged with inappropriate and grossly negligent
conduct by sexually molesting children and developmentally disabled
adults throughout the course of his career. Although licensee did not
admit the charges, licensee permanently surrendered his license with
no future eligibility for any level of licensure as a social worker
in the State of Maine.
PHILLIPS, Susan A.
License Number: LC5745
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Case Number: SW-298
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/10/00
Summary: Licensee admitted to violation of ethical standards by selling
an item to a resident of a group home of which she was an owner, to
using derogatory language regarding a resident, and to breaching client
confidentiality by conducting a telephone conversation regarding that
client in the presence of a third party. Licensee was issued a reprimand
for each violation, for a total of three reprimands, and a $500 civil
penalty. Licensee was ordered to meet for biweekly one hour face-to-face
consultations with a consultant LCSW for a minimum period of two years
to provide the licensee "supervision and direction with respect
to professional boundaries and ethics as a whole and, specifically,
dual relationships."
RAY, Penelope L.
License Number: LC1087
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Case Number: SW-234
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/11/00
Summary: Licensee admitted that she breached confidentiality of former
client on two occasions by identifying complainant as a former client
and identifying the former client's treatment issues in the context
of a dispute involving complainant's role of school bus driver of licensee's
children. Licensee was issued a reprimand and a $250 civil penalty for
each violation, for a total of two reprimands and a $500 civil penalty.
ROTTERSMAN, Michael
License Number: LC6339
License Type: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Case Number: SW-284
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 4/28/00
Summary: Licensee reported himself to the board, revealing his engagement
in a sexual relationship with an individual for whom he provided clinical
supervision. Licensee was issued a reprimand, a $1000 civil penalty
and supervisory counseling with a colleague with whom the licensee had
no personal relationship.
TOCCI, Susan A.
(see entry for Phillips, Susan A.)
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Last Updated:
March 18, 2009
