A Baltimore County woman has pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated identity theft and making false statements related to health care matters. Thomasina E. Amponsah, 50, admitted to using stolen nursing licenses and credentials to work as a registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) at numerous facilities in Maryland over a four-year period.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, Amponsah never held any nursing license or credential of her own. The announcement was made in conjunction with Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
Prosecutors stated that from September 2019 through August 2023, Amponsah used fraudulent educational and professional histories along with stolen credentials to obtain employment at more than 40 health care facilities across the state. Most were skilled nursing facilities providing inpatient rehabilitation and medical treatment, but others included a Baltimore City public school and several nursing homes.
Amponsah received at least $100,000 in wages by presenting herself as a licensed nurse. These facilities billed Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care benefit programs for services she provided.
On one occasion in August 2019, Amponsah applied for a job at a nursing facility using the license number belonging to an individual identified as T.R.S., including a duplicated image of their license. She also falsely claimed supervisory experience as an LPN and said she held a degree from Florida State University—both untrue statements.
She was hired by this facility but later terminated after admitting she forged a physician’s signature on a prescription for Tramadol, an opioid painkiller, then faxed it to a pharmacy.
In July 2021, Amponsah used another stolen identity belonging to E.A., including their Florida nursing license number and duplicated license image, when applying online through Staffing Agency 1. This agency allows nurses to sign up for shifts at partner facilities. Using these false documents and resume information, she worked at no fewer than 21 skilled nursing facilities between July 2021 and October 2022.
While working shifts arranged through Staffing Agency 1 at another facility in October 2022, Amponsah failed to administer prescribed medications to multiple patients and falsified medical records regarding those treatments. Despite being confronted about her lack of licensure by both Staffing Agency 1 and Nursing Facility 2—and subsequently terminated—she continued seeking employment using the same stolen identities.
Amponsah faces up to five years in federal prison for making false statements relating to health care matters as well as a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is scheduled for November 12.
“U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HHS-OIG for its work in the investigation,” according to the statement released by Hayes’s office. “Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph L. Wenner and Sean Delaney, who are prosecuting the case, and recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Phelps and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber for their valuable assistance.”
Further information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found at justice.gov/usao-md or justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
