HIPAA violation results in first conviction

Article

The US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington convicted Richard Gibson for violating the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA. It is the first conviction obtained under the federal law.

The US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington convicted Richard Gibson for violating the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA. It is the first conviction obtained under the federal law.

Gibson was sentenced to 16 months in prison, given 3 years of supervised release, and is required to pay $9,000 in restitution for the wrongful disclosure of "identifiable health information for economic gain," according to AISHealth.com, an online newsletter (11/15/04). Gibson, who worked at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, used a patient's name, date of birth, and social security number to obtain four credit cards under the patient's name. Federal prosecutors allege Gibson charged more than $9,000 on the cards.

Recent Videos
Revi System shows efficacy against urgency urinary incontinence | Image Credit: ics.org.
1 expert is featured in this series.
Researchers highlight risks of breastfeeding while taking Levetiracetam | Image Credit: uwaterloo.ca.
Ipek Ensari, PhD, highlights improved mental health in chronic pelvic pain from physical activity | Image Credit: scholars.mssm.edu
New pSNM system empowers patients in urge urinary incontinence treatment | Image Credit: trinityhealthmichigan.org.
Jannah Thompson, MD, highlights battery free device for UUI management | Image Credit: trinityhealthmichigan.org
Anietie Aliu, PhD, highlights racial barriers to breast cancer screening | Image Credit: bbc.com.
Anietie Aliu, PhD, discusses how to improve breast cancer screening disparities | Image Credit: bbc.com
Jennifer Payne, MD, highlights how to help young women with perimenopause symptoms | Image Credit: uvahealth.com/findadoctor.
Perimenopausal symptoms in young women discussed by Jennifer Payne, MD | Image Credit: uvahealth.com/findadoctor.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.