July 19, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce and Sim Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney announced today that a joint investigation between the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office and Weber County Attorney’s Office
has resulted in the arrest and criminal charges against Kristina Marie Owen, age 33, for representing herself as a licensed nurse (LPN) while working in two Utah care facilities.
According to charging documents, Owen provided a fraudulent LPN nursing license in job applications and during her tenure at two Utah care facilities. When she was confronted by DOPL investigator Dan Briggs, Owen admitted that she had worked in several LPN positions but did not hold a legal license from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. After DOPL turned its case over to Sim Gill at the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, their office filed two felony counts against Owen for identity theft and unlawful/unprofessional conduct in Third District
Court.
“The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office commends the efforts of DOPL in this interagency collaboration, and the subsequent felony filings, to safeguard the citizens of Salt Lake County and the State of Utah. This joint effort is indicative of an ongoing interagency partnership that continues serve our community by holding offenders
accountable where appropriate,” said District Attorney Sim Gill. DOPL also shared its case file with Dee Smith, Weber County Attorney, whose team filed two felony counts and two misdemeanors against Owen for forgery, identity theft and unlawful/unprofessional conduct.
“Once again, the Department of Commerce and its Divisions are grateful for the swift justice from our partners at the Salt Lake County District Attorney and Weber County Attorney offices,” stated Francine A. Giani, “We hope this case sends a strong message that if you try to fake a license in Utah, investigators will track you down and you will face charges.”
About the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)
The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) is both a licensing and enforcement division within the Utah Department of Commerce responsible for over 170,000 professional licensees. The Division has an investigations unit that enforces Utah law which reflects the different licensing categories managed by DOPL. To verify a professional license or check for disciplinary action against a licensee, log on dopl.utah.gov.