Woman files suit against psychiatrist boyfriend after crime spree.

As reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A former Cedarburg woman who along with her psychiatrist boyfriend led police on a cross-country chase has filed a lawsuit against him alleging medical malpractice because the two began a sexual relationship while she was his patient.

Darcy J. Bogenrief, 43, alleges in the lawsuit filed in Ozaukee County Circuit Court that she sought treatment in late 2001 or early 2002 from former Thiensville psychiatrist Lyndon K. Steinhaus, 48, the two began a sexual relationship later in 2002 and he continued to be her doctor and prescribe medication for her until at least December 2006.

Steinhaus’ “conduct was negligent and in violation of the standards of care” prescribed in state law, the lawsuit alleges.

According to the lawsuit, Bogenrief “sustained severe physical, mental and emotional injury” and “loss of earning capacity and has incurred medical and related expenses in the past” and will continue to do so.

Steinhaus’ medical insurer and a state risk-sharing fund for health-care providers also are named in the lawsuit.

Bogenrief, a Marquette University Law School graduate who formerly practiced law in Illinois, and Steinhaus are each charged in Ozaukee County with misappropriating Steinhaus’ ex-wife’s identity.

They used it to open bank accounts, apply for credit cards and buy jewelry as revenge for her seeking child support, according to a criminal complaint.

They were arrested in November 2006 in Gillette, Wyo., where Steinhaus was employed as a child psychiatrist after years of practicing in Ozaukee and Washington counties, and charged with one felony count of identity theft. Steinhaus also was charged in Wyoming with 27 misdemeanor counts of illegally prescribing drugs to Bogenrief.

After posting bail in Wyoming, the pair led police on a two-week cross-country spree that included trashing a South Dakota motel room; crossing into Canada, where Bogenrief was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving; posting bond in Montana by leaving behind a BMW car; and finally being arrested in Brownsville, Tenn., when they stopped at a check cashing store to get an advance on a federal income tax refund, according to authorities and court records.

Steinhaus served nine months in jail in Gillette and then was extradited to Ozaukee County. He was freed after posting $10,000 bail and now lives in Kewaskum while awaiting trial, according to online court records. He is next due in court on July 23.

According to Wyoming court records, Bogenrief was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

She is free on a signature bond. She lives in Gillette and is under treatment there, according to court records. She is due in court Oct. 7.

Update: Former psychologist loses teaching job over news of her sexual misconduct

A quick update from Montana TV station KTVQ

A former Billings psychologist who had her Montana license revoked after being accused of having inappropriate relationships with patients has lost her teaching job in Florida.

Constance Reynolds, 52, recently settled a lawsuit in Montana and agreed to pay an $800,000 settlement to the mother of one of her patients who is now deceased. The lawsuit had accused Reynolds of having an affair with the patient.

She had been teaching biology at a high school in Port Orange, Florida, but lost her job this week after officials there learned about her revoked license in Montana.

We also have this report from a local Florida newspaper reports. This one from the Orlando Sentinel

A rookie Volusia County teacher found herself unemployed Wednesday after officials discovered that she had once lost her psychologist's license in Montana following accusations of improper relationships with patients.

Constance Reynolds, 52, began teaching honors biology at Atlantic High in Port Orange this semester. Two weeks ago, she settled a lawsuit in Montana, agreeing to pay $800,000 to the mother of one of Reynolds' deceased patients. The lawsuit accused Reynolds of having an affair with the patient, according to published reports.

[...]

"Had we researched this and found out what we know now, we would not have hired her," Wait said. "It's a question of morality and ethics."

Reynolds passed a criminal background check and has on her record only a 10-year-old DUI from Montana, to which she pleaded no contest, according to her application.

Reynolds, who was earning $39,903 annually, was in a 97-day probationary period for new teachers. The School Board is expected to approve her termination at its Dec. 11 meeting. Reynolds was notified after school Tuesday after media inquiries called the district's attention to the situation.

Reynolds told the Orlando Sentinel that she had been honest on her application, which is why the firing took her by surprise.

"I didn't think it was going to be a problem," she said. "I thought I could make a difference in kids' lives."

Reynolds' moved to Central Florida, where she has family, about 2005 and worked briefly as a substitute teacher in Volusia last semester before being hired full time.

She was a psychologist in private practice for 12 years in Billings, Mont., but offered no references from that state, writing, "I do not have any contact with any of my former clients or colleagues in Montana."

This one from the Daytona Beach News Journal

When she was hired to teach science at Atlantic High School in August, Connie Reynolds escaped a nightmarish career disintegration far, far away.

Her past caught up with her this week.

Volusia County school district officials fired Reynolds after learning from the news media why she was stripped of her license to practice psychology in Montana, said Nancy Wait, a district spokeswoman. They also acknowledged a mistake in hiring her.

In 2003, Reynolds -- then working as a clinical psychologist in Montana -- was accused of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a female patient who later died in her care.

Reynolds denied the allegations but later lost her license. The patient's mother filed suit, claiming Reynolds improperly gave medications that led to her daughter's death. Reynolds settled the case earlier this month for $800,000, the Billings Gazette reported.

A tipster, Ken Kramer of Tampa, contacted The Daytona Beach News-Journal and other media organizations recently. Kramer is a board member of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a Scientology-affiliated organization that investigates and exposes psychiatric missteps.

Atlantic High Principal Ron Pagano fired Reynolds on Tuesday without cause because she had not yet completed her 97-day probation period.

Reynolds, 52, of Ormond Beach was making $39,903 annually to teach biology, anatomy and physiology.

When she applied for her job, she checked a box indicating she has had a license revoked. The application asked for the type of license and what state issued it but not why it was revoked. Reynolds, who noted on the application she has had no contact with any of her former clients or colleagues in Montana, said no one asked her about it during the hiring process.

Wait said the school district would not have hired Reynolds had it known about the allegations in Montana. Wait added the box marked "Yes" should have raised red flags.

"We should have done some further inquiries," she said, adding Superintendent Margaret Smith has met with personnel and professional standards staff to make sure procedures are in place to avoid such hiring mistakes in the future.

[...]

Therapist Constance Reynolds agrees to pay $800,000 settlement in damages

A followup to an earlier report. From the Billings Gazette

A district judge on Thursday approved an $800,000 settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed by a Billings woman against her daughter's psychologist.

Judge Susan Watters said the settlement amount was reasonable considering the damages that Betty Bowman suffered from her family's association with Constance Reynolds, a therapist whose license was revoked in 2004.

Bowman's daughter, Dana Mobley, was a client of Reynolds when the two became lovers. Mobley later died while living with Reynolds.

After the hearing Thursday, Bowman said the settlement brings little relief to a difficult period in her life. Her daughter died in February 2004, and her husband died six months later. She filed the lawsuit against Reynolds in 2005.

"It's hard," Bowman said outside the courtroom. "Losing my whole family and being financially embarrassed. You believe in somebody and trust somebody and then have them turn you upside down and backwards."

In the lawsuit, Bowman claimed the psychologist was negligent and committed malpractice, fraud and identity theft when she began a sexual relationship with her daughter while treating her as a client. The lawsuit stated that Mobley died in part because of medications Reynolds improperly gave to her.

Reynolds, who now lives in Florida and represented herself in the lawsuit, could not be reached Thursday for comment. She did not attend the hearing Thursday.

Despite the settlement, the legal case is not over. Chicago Insurance Co., which provided Reynolds with malpractice insurance, has filed a federal lawsuit against both Reynolds and Bowman, stating that Reynolds' policy does not cover the claims made by Bowman against Reynolds.

Bowman's attorney, Brad Arndorfer, said a judge is expected to rule on the issue early next year.

Reynolds was sued by two other Billings residents, Kelli Van Laanen and Kay Easterling. The women accused Reynolds in separate lawsuits of professional malpractice.

Easterling was in a relationship with Mobley when Mobley and Reynolds began dating. Easterling's lawsuit was settled last year; terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Van Laanen's case was recently resolved with an agreement by Reynolds to pay Van Laanen $100 a month for three years. If Reynolds fails to make the payments, the agreement states, Van Laanen can seek to collect $80,000 in damages.

Befoare the lawsuits were filed, a state administrative law judge found that Reynolds had an inappropriate relationship with Mobley and recommended the psychologist lose her state license. The Montana Board of Psychology unanimously followed the recommendation in June 2004.

At the hearing Thursday, Missoula psychologist Janet Allison testified by telephone that Reynolds violated her ethical duties to Bowman, who she said trusted Reynolds to care for her daughter.

In a report prepared last year, Allison described Reynolds' actions as "a tragic example" of the harm an unethical psychologist can cause.

"In my three decades of work in the field, I have never seen a more egregious case of professional violations of ethics or of damage inflicted on clients by a psychologist," Allison wrote.

Bowman testified Thursday that she deeded a house to Reynolds so Reynolds and her daughter would have a safe home to share. Reynolds then took out a mortgage on the home, Bowman said, and never paid her the full price of the house.

Bowman said she loaned Reynolds $10,000 on one occasion and was not repaid, and Reynolds used her credit cards without her permission or knowledge. One credit card debt grew to $13,000, Bowman said, and her credit rating was destroyed as a result.

Bowman told the judge that her husband died six months after her daughter. Although he suffered a terminal illness, Bowman said she believes her daughter's death hastened her husband's death because the two were very close.

After the hearing, Bowman said she still believes Reynolds played a role in her daughter's death, but no criminal investigation was ever conducted. An autopsy found that Mobley died of asphyxiation while heavily drugged.

Arndorfer represented all three women in their lawsuits against Reynolds. He said Reynolds is not practicing psychology in Florida, but may be working as a teacher.

Therapist to pay $800,000 in damages

Another case where the penalty is possible not heavy enough. From the Billings Gazette.

A district judge on Thursday approved an $800,000 settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed by a Billings woman against her daughter's psychologist.

Judge Susan Watters said the settlement amount was reasonable considering the damages that Betty Bowman suffered from her family's association with Constance Reynolds, a therapist whose license was revoked in 2004.

Bowman's daughter, Dana Mobley, was a client of Reynolds when the two became lovers. Mobley later died while living with Reynolds.

After the hearing Thursday, Bowman said the settlement brings little relief to a difficult period in her life. Her daughter died in February 2004, and her husband died six months later. She filed the lawsuit against Reynolds in 2005.

"It's hard," Bowman said outside the courtroom. "Losing my whole family and being financially embarrassed. You believe in somebody and trust somebody and then have them turn you upside down and backwards."

In the lawsuit, Bowman claimed the psychologist was negligent and committed malpractice, fraud and identity theft when she began a sexual relationship with her daughter while treating her as a client. The lawsuit stated that Mobley died in part because of medications Reynolds improperly gave to her.

Reynolds, who now lives in Florida and represented herself in the lawsuit, could not be reached Thursday for comment. She did not attend the hearing Thursday.

Despite the settlement, the legal case is not over. Chicago Insurance Co., which provided Reynolds with malpractice insurance, has filed a federal lawsuit against both Reynolds and Bowman, stating that Reynolds' policy does not cover the claims made by Bowman against Reynolds.

Bowman's attorney, Brad Arndorfer, said a judge is expected to rule on the issue early next year.

Reynolds was sued by two other Billings residents, Kelli Van Laanen and Kay Easterling. The women accused Reynolds in separate lawsuits of professional malpractice.

Easterling was in a relationship with Mobley when Mobley and Reynolds began dating. Easterling's lawsuit was settled last year; terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Van Laanen's case was recently resolved with an agreement by Reynolds to pay Van Laanen $100 a month for three years. If Reynolds fails to make the payments, the agreement states, Van Laanen can seek to collect $80,000 in damages.

Befoare the lawsuits were filed, a state administrative law judge found that Reynolds had an inappropriate relationship with Mobley and recommended the psychologist lose her state license. The Montana Board of Psychology unanimously followed the recommendation in June 2004.

At the hearing Thursday, Missoula psychologist Janet Allison testified by telephone that Reynolds violated her ethical duties to Bowman, who she said trusted Reynolds to care for her daughter.

In a report prepared last year, Allison described Reynolds' actions as "a tragic example" of the harm an unethical psychologist can cause.

"In my three decades of work in the field, I have never seen a more egregious case of professional violations of ethics or of damage inflicted on clients by a psychologist," Allison wrote.

Bowman testified Thursday that she deeded a house to Reynolds so Reynolds and her daughter would have a safe home to share. Reynolds then took out a mortgage on the home, Bowman said, and never paid her the full price of the house.

Bowman said she loaned Reynolds $10,000 on one occasion and was not repaid, and Reynolds used her credit cards without her permission or knowledge. One credit card debt grew to $13,000, Bowman said, and her credit rating was destroyed as a result.

Bowman told the judge that her husband died six months after her daughter. Although he suffered a terminal illness, Bowman said she believes her daughter's death hastened her husband's death because the two were very close.

After the hearing, Bowman said she still believes Reynolds played a role in her daughter's death, but no criminal investigation was ever conducted. An autopsy found that Mobley died of asphyxiation while heavily drugged.

Arndorfer represented all three women in their lawsuits against Reynolds. He said Reynolds is not practicing psychology in Florida, but may be working as a teacher.

Psychologists Shot Down Nine Times in 2007

Seen in this report

The National Psychologist reported in its Sept/Oct 2007 issue that prescription privileges bills to give psychologists prescription privileges in nine different U.S. states failed in each and every case. Most never left committee, reflecting the leadership’s unease of granting prescription rights to non-medical professionals.

The bills failed in Hawaii, California, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Oregon. It came closest to passing in Hawaii, but was vetoed by the governor when it reached her desk.

What’s at stake here?

Two powerful professional organizations — the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association — butting heads over whether it is safe to allow psychologists, with additional medical training, to prescribe psychiatric medications.

Psychologists receive little or no formal training in medicine in their graduate studies today (as most physicians who are not psychiatrists receive little or no formal training in psychological theory and practices). If psychologists gained greater prescribing authority, they could rely less on medical doctors, such as psychiatrists, to prescribe common psychiatric medications.

Psychologists argue that there is a demand for such services in rural and areas throughout the country that currently do not have coverage by psychiatrists.

Doctors argue such privileges are already available to professionals who want them by undergoing medical school or similar training.

Psychologists believe they don’t need such intensive training because psychiatric medications are largely limited to affecting the mood, and don’t interact as much with other body systems.

As anyone who has looked into the side effects of psycho-active drugs knows, this last point is a woefully naive take on the situation. I can only imagine what additional horror stories await us if this were to go through.