by Alex Lloyd Gross
July 12, 2023
A medical assistant is dealing with people when they are vulnerable. People trust the confidentiality of their information will remain secure. When someone breaks that confidence, they go to jail. As is the case with Ashley Latimer, 35, She worked at Axia Women’s Health facilities when she got hold of personal information. She used that information to open credit cards in her name. Now she will be in state prison for two to five years.
An investigation by the Office of Attorney General found that Latimer used her cell phone to take photos of patient information forms and licenses while working at the Montgomery County clinics. She then used the information to open credit cards and make purchases — including more than $30,000 in orders from online furniture retailer, Wayfair.
Latimer entered a guilty plea to 11 felonies. in Montgomery County Court. . In fact, on one occasion she rented an apartment and made payments in the name of a patient without her knowledge. The patient never knew about it until contacted by authorities. The state Attorney Generals office did the investigation and prosecution.
“The defendant was a licensed medical professional trusted to care for and protect her patients. She broke that trust by stealing their information and bankrolling her own personal spending spree,” said Attorney General Michelle Henry. “This state prison sentence shows the egregiousness of the defendant’s conduct and crimes. My office is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting individuals who steal personal information from others for their own financial benefit.”
Upon her release, Latimer will never again work as a medical assistant.