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Board hears petition for early termination of probation for William Brito, PhD
Summary
The Board of Psychology held a petition hearing Feb. 27 on a request by William Brito, PhD, to terminate a probationary term originating from convictions in the 1980s; the hearing was presented before an administrative law judge and the record was submitted to the board for closed‑door deliberation.
The Board of Psychology held a petition hearing Feb. 27 to consider psychologist William Brito’s request for early termination of a probationary term tied to criminal conduct from the 1980s. Administrative Law Judge Sean Gavin presided; Deputy Attorney General Matthew Fleming presented the board’s exhibits and history; Brito testified and called witnesses, including Marilee Aronson.
The hearing focused on Brito’s criminal convictions in 1980 and 1983, the stipulated settlement and decision he entered in 1996, subsequent supervision and probation compliance, and evidence the petitioner says shows rehabilitation. Fleming told the board the record includes the 1996 stipulated agreement, a statement of issues explaining why Brito’s initial application was denied, a prior transcript of interview, and probation records. Brito acknowledged the underlying conduct and said, “I fully admit to them,” and described years of treatment, long-term sobriety and more than a decade of clinical work in Washington, D.C.
Brito described participating in therapy across decades, training and work with trauma populations, and long-term employment in behavioral health programs. He said he completed the reporting and payments required while on probation and later practiced in D.C. after moving out of state. Attorney for Brito submitted letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae, and other materials; the board admitted exhibits and noted one newly provided signature page would be accepted if provided before the hearing ended.
The Office of the Attorney General emphasized that the board’s standard for early termination requires clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation and pointed to concerns in the record, including gaps or ambiguities in submitted materials — for example, blank items on earlier petitions about therapy and signed releases. Fleming urged the board to consider the documented severity of the original charges and to weigh whether Brito had produced the evidence the board asked for when it denied his prior petition.
After live testimony from Brito and a witness, and cross‑examination by the Attorney General’s office, both parties made closing remarks and the matter was formally submitted to the board. Judge Gavin closed the evidentiary record, placed some documents under protective order, and announced the board would convene in closed session to deliberate, leaving no final public decision in the transcript.
The hearing record includes the board’s received exhibits, transcript excerpts, witness testimony and counsel arguments. The board’s formal vote or written decision is not in the public transcript; the matter was marked "submitted" and moved to closed session for deliberation.
Background: Brito’s 1996 stipulated settlement left him on probation; he later obtained work and licensure in Washington, D.C., and provided letters of recommendation and a certificate of rehabilitation with his petition to terminate probation early.
Board next steps: The board moved into closed session to deliberate on the petition; no final disposition appears in the public meeting transcript.
