SANFORD, Fla. — A former candidate for the Florida House has admitted to investigators the claims she removed 77 bullets out of 32 people during the Pulse nightclub shooting were false.
Catherine McCarthy had "knowingly been holding herself" as a medical doctor, misrepresenting herself to the public as she ran for House Seat 28 as a Democratic candidate, the Florida Department of Health citation reads.
Investigators say McCarthy has been misrepresenting herself as a doctor since 2014. She admitted she lied about her educational background and told investigators she never went to medical school, the citation adds.
She admitted she went to two events with U.S. Rep. Darren Soto where she was introduced as a cardiologist with the Orlando Health Regional Hospital and was praised for her "heroism" after the Pulse nightclub shooting, the report adds.
McCarthy was quoted by a journalist in the report as saying she worked during the shooting, saying, "I removed 77 bullets out of 32 people and helped with the triage. It is really sad that this has become such a big deal."
Investigators say she is now saying, "It is a false statement. I just made it up," adding she never treated any patients that night.
She apologized, according to investigators, and the report adds she said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I gave any impersonation, I knew it was wrong and I should have stopped, by no means did I ever mean to put anybody in jeopardy."
The Florida Department of Health has cited her for knowingly and intentionally holding herself as a doctor without an active, valid Florida license to practice medicine. She faces a total fine of $3,094.95.
She has been given a cease and desist order from practicing medicine and for representing herself as a doctor in the State of Florida until being properly licensed by the department.
10Investigates Courtney Robinson reached out to Soto for comment. Soto's communication director provided the following statement:
"The congressman has already made his position clear on McCarthy’s fabrications and is not interested in commenting further."
Soto did speak out after learning about McCarthy’s false claims.
“She was a longtime friend of several staff members," Soto said. "She had been presented by them and by several local Democratic and LGBT organizations as being a doctor. We have updated our internal protocols to require proof of licensure by any professional who may potentially work with our office."
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