SAN JOSE — An Arizona girl has been criminally charged with lying about her credentials and utilizing stolen identities to operate as a dental hygienist in the South Bay for at minimum 5 many years, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Business office.
Elizabeth “Mina” Larijani, 50, is charged with 16 felony and misdemeanor counts centered on allegations she lied about remaining a point out-certified dental assistant or hygienist between 2015 and 2020. In accordance to prosecutors’ official criticism and investigative summary, she both labored at or applied to 11 dental workplaces in San Jose and Campbell.
Larijani — who also goes by Elizabeth Garcia Costilla — was arrested in Glendale, Arizona and extradited to San Jose past week. She was at first in jail custody on $40,000 bail, but she was released Monday and ordered to return to courtroom June 13.
The Dental Cleanliness Board of California commenced investigating Larijani in 2018 right after acquiring a criticism that she was misrepresenting her licensing and skills. The investigation observed that in numerous circumstances, she submitted in paperwork the license numbers of two dental hygienists who were unaware their licenses have been becoming employed. Authorities allege that whenever the concern of licensing came up in depth, she was evasive then remaining and went on to use to or do the job at a further business office.
By allegedly lying about her status, Larijani bypassed requirements that she comprehensive an accredited education method and go exams carried out by the dental cleanliness board.
The board investigators presented their findings to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Place of work in 2019. Just after the office carried out its very own investigation, prosecutors in 2020 submitted 13 felony expenses from Larijani alleging tax fraud and id theft, and a few misdemeanor rates of practising dental cleanliness work without a license.
When Larijani was found and arrested in Arizona, she was reportedly actively operating as a dental hygienist.
“The past detail somebody requires to be worrying about is whether or not the person cleansing their tooth, or utilizing anesthetics, is accredited to do that function,” District Legal professional Jeff Rosen reported in a assertion.
Neither a news release Tuesday about the fees, nor the investigative summary accompanying the criminal grievance, element any bodily damage allegedly triggered by Larijani. The investigation cited at minimum 1 dentist who was content with Larijani’s get the job done. It was not instantly crystal clear in courtroom data what sort of teaching and follow Larijani experienced concluded.
However, prosecutors are seeking potential victims who might have experienced physical hurt underneath her treatment. Any individual with data for authorities can speak to DA Investigator Krissi Durant at 408-792-2567.
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