Lawyer: Client has multiple personalities

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y., June 9 (UPI) -- A lawyer for a New York state woman charged with Medicaid fraud says he cannot give her adequate counsel because she has multiple personality disorder.

Helene Michel, who ran a medical supply company with her former husband, is charged with fraud and invasion of patient privacy, Newsday reported. Federal prosecutors said she would sneak into nursing homes on the overnight shift, claiming to be from one of their equipment suppliers, convince employees to let her look at patient records and then steal one or two pages, which she allegedly used to send phony bills to Medicaid.

Her lawyer, David Blythewood, said Monday that he has seen other identities appear. Eric Pakun, a psychologist affiliated with Harvard, testified Michel is able to stand trial but that in a stressful situation alternate personalities might appear.

Charles Kelly, the prosecutor, argued that Michel can receive appropriate treatment if other personalities show up during the trial.

Etienne Allonce, Michel's former husband, fled to Haiti after the couple was indicted in 2007.