Italian Woman on Trial for Posing as Doctor Maintained Full Awareness of Actions, Experts Testify

Bordighera, Italy – Enrica Massone, a 58-year-old woman from Turin, is on trial in Imperia, Italy, accused of practicing medicine without a license, falsifying documents, and fraud. Experts testifying in court have stated that Massone was fully aware of her actions while impersonating a physician at the Saint Charles hospital in Bordighera in 2023.

Psychiatric Evaluation Reveals No Impairment of Criminal Responsibility

Psychiatric evaluations, conducted by Gabriele Rocca and Francesca Santi at the request of the Imperia Prosecutor’s Office, concluded that Massone possesses a personality disorder with mixed characteristics but is not suffering from any condition that would diminish her criminal responsibility. The experts found no evidence of psychotic pathologies and observed that Massone has consistently demonstrated “adaptive and defensive” behavior, indicating a full capacity to understand and control her actions.

Details of the Deception

Massone reportedly told authorities she had graduated from the Bicocca University of Milan and was registered with the Lombardy Medical Association to secure employment at the Saint Charles hospital. Though, investigations revealed that she only holds a middle school diploma and that the degree she presented was counterfeit. Despite this, she was able to work shifts in the hospital’s emergency room before being discovered by colleagues.

Previous Conviction and Current Status

Massone is currently incarcerated in Turin, serving a 4-year and 3-month sentence for prior convictions of fraud and embezzlement. This sentence became final in October. The previous fraud involved her illegally obtaining a position as an administrator for an elderly couple and misappropriating their pension funds.

Trial Proceedings

Massone chose not to appear in court or undergo examination during the recent hearing. The court has adjourned to April for further discussion.