Hospital worker loses license after claiming phone inside his brain
Feb 11, 2015, 5:19 PM | Updated: Feb 12, 2015, 9:01 am
A King County hospital worker lost his license to practice because he told staff people were trying to kill him and he was involved in an FBI plot. (AP)
(AP)
A man who believed he was working for the FBI, and that people were trying to kill him, lost his license to practice as a surgical technician Jan. 28.
In the weeks leading up to April 2014, William Leverentz told medical staff he worked with in a King County hospital that a mobile phone is implanted in his head – an antenna ran through a wire to his nose, according to a statement of charges from the Washington State Department of Health.
A chip in Leverentz’ hand allowed the information in his head to be “downloaded” when he raised his hand to his head, he told staff. He was charged with being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.
“[Leverentz] also stated to hospital staff that scars on his back indicated the location of other implanted equipment,” according to charging documents.
Hospital staff met with Leverentz to examine his behavior. During a meeting, Leverentz said people were attempting to kill him and he was going to speak with the FBI. He said he was working with the FBI through a secret program to catch sex offenders.
When hospital staff demonstrated use of an ultrasound machine, Leverentz told hospital staff he wanted to use the equipment to locate wires and implants on his body.
When a medical practitioner and human resources staff met with Leverentz, he told them he wanted to go to the emergency room.
“When informed he would need to change into a hospital gown, [Leverentz] became defensive and left the premises.”
The charges were first issued Dec. 23. Because Leverentz failed to respond to the charges, his license to practice was indefinitely suspended. A petition of the charges was not filed by Leverentz as of Feb. 11.
