Charge

On 20 April 2018, the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal considered a charge laid by the Professional Conduct Committee against Ms Linda Aldworth, Nurse, of Rotorua (the Nurse).

The charged alleged that the Nurse had been convicted in the High Court in Wellington on a charge of money laundering.  The nurse had been sentenced to 10 1/2 months home detention and her assets were subsequently confiscated by the Crown.
The Nurse was receiving money on behalf of her husband, who was serving a lengthy term of imprisonment for drug offending, and transferring it to third party accounts, including a corrupt prison guard.  The Nurse transferred a total of $174,933.64 between March 2013 and October 2014.

Findings

The hearing proceeded on an agreed summary of facts basis.  The Tribunal was satisfied that the charge was established and reflected adversely on the Nurse's fitness to practice.  The Tribunal noted that a conviction for money laundering is a serious criminal offence and she was a key participant in her husband's continued significant and lengthy criminal activity.

Penalty

The Tribunal censured the Nurse and cancelled her registration.  No order for costs was made.