Montco Medical Assistant Stole Patients' Info For Personal Gain: AG

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — A former medical assistant in Montgomery County stole patient information to open credit cards, lease property, and more, according to state authorities.

Attorney General and Governor-elect Josh Shapiro said Ashley Latimer, 34, of Philadelphia, used information she collected from patient records and licenses for personal use.

Authorities allege Latimer used her cell phone to take photos of patient information forms and licenses while working at Axia Women’s Health in Montgomery County.

Latimer is charged with 27 counts of identity theft, seven counts of theft, four counts of computer theft, and one count of forgery, Shapiro said in a news release.

"This defendant is accused of taking advantage of her position and violating her trust and responsibility as a medical professional," Shapiro said. "We will not, under any circumstance, allow individuals to put patients at risk and compromise our Commonwealth’s health care systems."

Latimer used patient information to open credit cards and spend more than $31,000 on purchases from Wayfair, an online furniture company, authorities said. She also used the money to lease apartments and open accounts at Mattress Queen and Carvana, court documents show.

Latimer was scheduled to work at Axia locations including Rosemont, Plymouth Meeting, and Malvern in Montco, court papers show.

An Upper Moreland Police Department officer began an identity theft investigation in 2021, which lead officials to Latimer, court papers show. A special agent interviewed seven Axia patients whose personal information was on Latimer's phone, documents show.

Patch's Max Bennett contributed to this report.