Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Connecticut hearing moves forward as Department seeks revocation of LCSW Danielle Urciola’s license
Loading...
Summary
The Connecticut Department of Public Health asked a hearing officer to revoke the license of licensed clinical social worker Danielle Urciola at a March 10, 2026 disciplinary hearing; the respondent was absent, defense counsel denied the allegations and a requested continuance was denied.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health asked a hearing officer on March 10, 2026, to revoke the license of licensed clinical social worker Danielle Urciola, saying her conduct posed a danger to patient safety, and the hearing proceeded despite the respondent’s absence.
In an opening statement, Department attorney Julian Cataya said the state’s case rests on two central allegations: that Urciola has mental-health or substance-abuse issues that may impair her ability to practice safely, and that she entered a romantic relationship with a patient while treating them. "The Department requests that her license be formally revoked," Cataya told the hearing, identifying the practitioner by license number 12330.
The hearing officer, Aiden Baumann, convened the proceeding at 10:02 a.m. and ruled that the hearing would go forward after defense counsel, Fred Trotta of Halloran Sage, told the tribunal he had been unable to reach his client despite "diligent attempts" by phone, text and certified mail. Trotta asked for a continuance; the request was discussed and the hearing officer said the hearing would proceed.
The department entered six record exhibits into evidence, including an investigative report (dated 07/10/2025), a mandatory impaired-practitioner report (10/01/2024), a June 23, 2025 complaint, police records from Berlin and Boston (entered under seal for containing personally identifying information), and a written statement labeled "patient number 1" (also entered under seal). Trotta objected to multiple items on hearsay grounds and argued some materials contained double-hearsay or extraneous data; the department countered that administrative proceedings admit hearsay that is probative and reliable. Hearing Officer Baumann overruled the objections and admitted the department's exhibits as full exhibits.
Trotta entered a general denial on behalf of his client, saying he would "deny the essential allegations of the complaint" and that a written answer could be filed. In his opening remarks Trotta emphasized that many allegations dated from 2022 and noted procedural conditions that would affect the respondent’s ability to practice, including that she had not renewed her license and was summarily suspended.
The department said it intended to call the respondent as a witness to address the allegations but acknowledged it had not subpoenaed her; the department offered to prepare additional materials for late submission, and defense counsel indicated he would not object to a late submission without seeing the materials. The hearing paused for a five-minute recess to allow counsel to confer.
The hearing record shows the Department relied on investigatory materials and sealed records containing protected health information and police reports; the transcript ends with a brief recess and no final ruling announced. Further proceedings or schedules were not recorded in the provided transcript.
