NY doctor: 1 of my personalities led to drug crime
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City doctor once lauded for her AIDS treatment work is blaming her multiple personality disorder for a prescription painkillers scheme that defrauded Medicaid out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Diana Williamson wrote phony prescriptions for about 11,000 pills that were sold on the street. She blames a mischievous and irresponsible personality named Nala.
Two decades ago, Williamson made a business magazine’s list of young professionals on the rise.
Defense lawyer Jonathan Marks said today in court Williamson also has other illnesses that would make any prison time a death sentence.
Federal Judge Loretta Preska says she’ll await a prison report on the difficulty of treating Williamson’s medical issues before announcing her sentence.
Comments
Dissociative Identity Disorder is rather rare.
"Diagnosis is often difficult as there is considerable comorbidity with other mental disorders. Malingering should be considered if there is possible financial or forensic gain, as well as factitious disorder if help-seeking behavior is prominent"