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Board summarily suspends RN Catherine Seemer after counsel cites guilty pleas to federal fraud charges
Summary
The Department of Public Health asked the board to summarily suspend Catherine E. Seemer, RN, after her counsel said she had pled guilty to federal charges tied to fraud involving Department of Education programs. The board granted the summary suspension and directed that hearing notices be sent to both attorney and respondent.
The Connecticut Nursing Board granted the Department of Public Health—s motion for summary suspension of Catherine E. Seemer, RN (petition no. 2023-1241), after the department said Seemer had pled guilty to felony counts involving federal student-loan fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Department counsel Linda Fazina informed the board that Seemer—s file showed guilty pleas to a two-count information alleging fraud against a federal student-loan program administered by the U.S. Department of Education and aggravated identity theft. Fazina said the factual basis involved submitting false applications and forged medical certifications for borrowers who were not disabled.
Citing statutory authority, Fazina asked the board to summarily suspend Seemer—s license "based on our belief that her continued practice represents a clear and immediate danger to public health and safety." She referenced Connecticut General Statutes sections 4-182(c) and 19a-17(c) when presenting the department—s statutory basis for emergency action.
Board member Cindy Arpin moved to grant the motion; Elizabeth Rivera Rodriguez seconded. Assistant Attorney General Liz Bannon advised the board to send hearing notice to the respondent as well as to the attorney identified in the file because a prior counsel of record had not filed an appearance in Connecticut or provided a recent communication to the department. The board approved the summary suspension by roll call vote.
The board directed staff to schedule a hearing on the statement of charges. The summary suspension is an interim administrative step and does not resolve the underlying disciplinary matters.
