SAN FRANCISCO – A man suspected of posing as a nurse practitioner and practicing medicine for four months at a clinic in San Francisco is charged with four felony counts of practicing medicine without a license and one felony count of identity theft.
An investigation by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Division of Investigation lead to the arrest of Chad Brian Litz, 39, on March 10, 2017. LItz was arraigned on March 30th and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 11, 2017.
“Posing as a medical professional and treating patients is a threat to the patients’ health as well as public health,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona. “Fortunately, someone realized what was taking place and notified DCA investigators.”
According to the San Francisco District Attorney, Litz has no apparent medical training or experience. The Department of Consumer Affairs was notified after clinic volunteers discovered Litz’s deception.
Court records reveal Litz obtained a volunteer position with the City Impact Clinic by providing a forged certificate from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as well as other fraudulent materials. During his time at the clinic, Litz posed as a nurse practitioner which allowed him to treat patients with little supervision, including prescribing privileges that enabled him to dispense controlled substances to patients. Litz treated at least 28 different patients, including two for whom he prescribed controlled substances. Court documents allege that Litz has never been licensed to practice as a nurse or doctor.
Litz was arrested as he disembarked from a cruise ship in Tampa, Florida. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.
