In a case that has sent shockwaves through the medical community, a Virginia woman was arrested for allegedly impersonating a licensed nurse and working at multiple hospitals in California. The deception was uncovered at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where hospital staff raised concerns about her credentials.
Porter is accused of fraudulently applying for and securing a nursing position, despite not having any legitimate nursing qualifications. Between April 8 and May 8, she is said to have cared for around 60 patients, using the identity of a real registered nurse who doesn't live in California.
It was discrepancies in her paperwork that led to staff questioning Porter’s legitimacy. Before she was discovered and fired, she had already collected two paychecks for her work. Her fraudulent activities weren't confined to just one hospital. Investigators believe she used fake identities to gain employment at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita and potentially other healthcare facilities in Southern California.
Porter is facing serious charges, including felony identity theft, impersonation, and grand theft. She has pleaded not guilty to the allegations and remains in custody without bail at the Los Angeles County Central Regional Detention Facility.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón expressed his concerns, calling Porter's alleged actions a "betrayal of trust," especially since they involved vulnerable patients. He emphasized the severity of the situation and assured the public that his office would work to ensure Porter faces justice.
This isn't Porter’s first brush with fraud. Court records reveal that she is currently on federal probation for a previous conviction in Virginia. A woman with a similar name, Amanda Porter-Eley, was convicted for impersonating a nurse and committing bank fraud, where she worked as a nursing supervisor without a license for six months and used stolen identities to commit loan fraud worth $450,000.
As Burbank police continue to investigate, they are urging the public to come forward with any additional information, particularly regarding whether Porter might have been involved in similar crimes at other healthcare institutions in the area over the past year.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Sreelekshmi P/MSM)