Unlicensed Nurse Accused of Identity Theft Denied Bail in Georgia

In a recent development, Corissa Laws, a woman accused of working as a nurse without a license across eight states, has been denied bail and will remain in Cobb County Jail. Laws is charged with identity theft, allegedly stealing the identity of a Florida nurse and using it to provide care to several individuals with developmental disabilities.

Laws' arrest last month made headlines, as she was found to be working with Walton Community Services, a healthcare provider in Cobb County. She was responsible for round-the-clock care for eight individuals in a local home, all under the guise of being a licensed nurse.

The defense argued for bail, stating that Laws faces only one felony charge. However, the prosecution countered, emphasizing the gravity of her actions, which they described as "dangerous," as she has admitted to practicing as a nurse in multiple states, including Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Florida, New Mexico, and Georgia.

Related: $100 Million Fake Nursing Diplomas Scheme

The defense shifted the focus to Walton Community Services, suggesting that the organization should be investigated for potential fraud and for allowing unlicensed nurses to practice. The company has yet to comment on the matter.

The nurse whose identity Laws allegedly stole has expressed relief at Laws' continued incarceration, though she has chosen not to comment publicly.

As the case continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of trust and integrity in the healthcare profession. It underscores the need for stringent measures to ensure that those entrusted with the care of vulnerable individuals are qualified, licensed, and uphold the highest professional standards.

Georgia State's Secretary Comments

The healthcare community will undoubtedly be watching closely as the case progresses, with the hope that it will lead to improved practices and safeguards in the future.

"We haven't heard of this particular type of fraud recently, but it can happen, and we want to make sure people are aware to always guard their identity, and any employer when people do present their license, they can go to sos.ga.gov to check they are lawfully registered," said Georgia State Secretary Brad Raffensperger in an interview with WSB-TV. "We do robust checks, but obviously there's always bad actors that are looking to gain the system... you want to make sure that someone is actually licensed here in the state of Georgia."

The news of Laws bond denial is a WSB-TV follow-up provided just under a month after Raffensperger's comments.