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Former Board Member At St. Pete Church Arrested
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Published: March 3, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG -- A former board member at First Unity Church was arrested today on charges he passed himself off as a mental health counselor to treat members of the church, even though he was not licensed to do so.
Richard Thomas O'Toole
Richard Thomas O'Toole, 69, of St. Petersburg, was charged with six counts of the unlicensed practice of a health care professional, a third-degree felony that carries a minimum one-year sentence, said St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt.
O'Toole told his victims he was capable of treating a range of conditions, and provided services for weight loss, smoking cessation, substance abuse, attention deficit disorder, and pet grieving, Proffitt said.
He advertised in the church bulletin, acquired patients from church membership, and often held sessions at the church at 469 45th Ave. N. There were six victims in all, with their ages ranging from 18 to 40, and they were either former or current members of the church, Proffitt said. O'Toole often used hypnosis to treat them.
O'Toole resigned from his position on the board of directors last year, Proffitt said.
Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.
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