An employee working at Seattle-based Swedish Medical Center has been charged with identity and motor vehicle theft after officials said she stole the records from 39 patients to buy two cars and rent an apartment, The Everett Herald reported May 3.
Prosecutors allege the 37-year-old woman committed the fraud while she was working as a certified medical assistant at Swedish Medical Center from November 2018 to December 2019.
According to prosecutors, the medical assistant targeted two groups: patients aged 70-90 and younger women who resembled her.
The suspect was arrested in 2019, and prosecutors have since filed felony charges against her for first-degree identity theft, second-degree identity theft and motor vehicle theft. The Washington State Department of Health has initiated a separate disciplinary case against her.
After failing to appear in court for her arraignment, a Snohomish County Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for her arrest in December, which appears to be active, according to The Everett Herald.