DCCA Disciplinary Actions for August

Three Big Island professionals were among the individuals who faced disciplinary actions from the State of Hawai’i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the State of Hawai’i Boards and Commissions during the month of August.

According to the DCCA, “disciplinary actions include dispositions based upon either the results of contested case hearings or settlement agreements submitted by the parties.  Respondents enter into settlement agreements as a compromise of claims and to conserve on the expenses of proceeding with an administrative hearing.”

Trisha J. Ramirez voluntarily surrendered her license and agreed to not seek reinstatement or restoration of her nursing license, along with not reapplying for a Hawai’i nursing license in the future, after being indicted on five counts of promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree, five counts of prohibited acts related to obtaining a controlled substance by deception or fraud, and five counts of prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia on Nov. 16 in the case of State v. Ramirez.

It was alleged that Ramirez was in possession of controlled substances taken from a Hawai’i healthcare facility around March 2013, where she worked as a registered nurse. According to the DCCA, Ramirez violated HRS § 457-12(a)(6) by “removing drugs, supplies or property from a health care facility, or diverting or attempting to divert drugs or controlled substances for unauthorized use.” In addition, the DCCA reports that Ramirez also violated HAR § 16-89-60(7)(E) by “possessing, obtaining, or administering prescription drugs to any person, including self, except as directed by a person authorized by law to prescribe drugs.”

Willian C. Foulk paid a $1,000 fine in a Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects DCCA case. Foulk allegedly violated HRS § 464-10 and HAR § 16-115-10(5) by “submitting inaccurate information on an existing Cesspool Information Form.” The form was turned into the State of Hawai’i Department of Health.

Derek Bitterman, a medical technician and a member of the Hawai’i Medical Board, was allegedly convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant on July 9, 2012. According to the DCCA, Bitterman will have his license on probation for three months and pay a fine of $1,200 for the violation of HRS §§ 436B-19(14) and 453-8(a)(12).