A new report released on Monday alleges that Alabama Democratic congressional candidate Adia McClellan Winfrey has falsely claimed to be a clinical psychologist and is breaking the law by repeating her claim as she is not licensed.
Winfrey has repeatedly referred to herself as a clinical psychologist “on Twitter, in interviews, on her campaign website, on her LinkedIn page and in speeches in front of Democratic Party groups,” The Huffington Post reported.
The Post notes that Winfrey has lived in several states and has never been licensed as a psychologist in any of them, adding, “If they aren’t licensed, they are violating the law.”
The Post did verify that Winfrey graduated from Wright State University in 2008 where she received a doctorate in psychology, but that doesn’t mean she was ever licensed as a psychologist.
“I’ve never been a licensed psychologist,” Winfrey told The Post. “I did complete the hours required for licensure ― but right when I was going to be studying for licensure exam, that’s when my curriculum took off.”
According to Alabama law, “No person shall hold himself or herself out to the public as a licensed psychological technician or practice as a psychological technician unless licensed by the board. Failure to comply with this section shall constitute a Class B misdemeanor.”
If law enforcement officials decided to press charges against Winfrey, she could face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $3,000.