DENVER — A parental evaluator in a child custody cases is facing a 15-count indictment, according to Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.
The statewide grand jury made the decision against 57-year-old Shannon McShane, who allegedly used false credentials to obtain a state license as a psychologist.
Weiser says she used this to gain employment with state agencies and serve as a child and family investigator in child custody cases in Colorado.
“Defrauding the state of Colorado and engaging in unlicensed practice as a psychologist in a manner that impacts our justice system is a grave breach of public trust,” said Weiser. “In this case, we are seeking to hold Shannon McShane accountable for her alleged conduct and to send a message that this behavior is intolerable.”
According to the indictment, which was filed in Denver District Court on August 29, over a six year period, McShane represented herself as having a PhD in Psychology from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom to state agencies and judicial officers.
The indictment says officials from the university say they didn't find any records saying McShane was a student there.
Weiser says McShane leveraged the belief in her university credentials to obtain licenses and certifications allowing her to work in Colorado including:
- obtain licensure with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as a licensed psychologist
- become a certified addiction counselor
- become a licensed addiction counselor
Weiser says McShane was also able to get several positions with the State of Colorado through these licensures. They allowed her to conduct investigations and provide judges with reports of findings and recommendations on parenting time and decision-making for children.
McShane has been charged with the following and is in the Denver Downtown Detention Center:
- eight counts of attempt to influence a public servant
- five counts of forgery
- one count of perjury
- one count of retaliation against a victim or witness
According to Weiser, McShane was able to become an employee at the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Colorado Department of Human Services to work at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital Institute in Pueblo (CMHHIP).
Earlier this year, News5's Alasyn Zimmerman has looked into several issues at CMHHIP, including when they were $13 million over budget in July of last year.
CMHHIP goes $13M over budget
Several employees were also placed on administrative leave for several months at a time.
CMHHIP employees placed on admin leave for months
CMHHIP employees waiting for answers about admin leave
In December, CMHHIP was operating with half of its psychologist positions.
CMHHIP operating with half of its psychologist positions
News5 went to court over public records to try and learn more about the employees placed on administrative leave at CMMHIP.
News5 Investigates fights for open records in CMHHIP investigation
A judge ruled in News5's favor earlier this year.
KOAA and News5's Alasyn Zimmerman sued, judge rules in our favor
In March, a man broke into an abandoned building on the institute's south campus.
Armed suspect broke into abandoned building at CMHIIP
In April, employees spoke out about their concerns over incidents at CMHHIP.
Employees speak out over concerning incidents at the CMHHIP
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