A Denver judge sentenced a woman to four years in state prison after she pleaded guilty to charges related to her use of fake credentials to secure government jobs as a psychologist.
Shannon McShane’s fraudulent qualifications enabled her to work in several state agencies over six years. The 58-year-old was a family evaluator in courtrooms across the state. She also worked with the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Colorado State Mental Health Hospital, according to CBS News Colorado.
Why It Matters
With her fake licensure, McShane worked on reports used to make child custody decisions. She also counseled inmates.
“Defrauding the state of Colorado and engaging in unlicensed practice as a psychologist in a manner that impacts our justice system is a grave breach of public trust,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement after McShane’s indictment.
What To Know
Denver Police Department
Six Years Using Fake Credentials
McShane claimed to have a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. She then obtained credentials from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a licensed psychologist, certified addiction counselor, and licensed addiction counselor, according to a 2024 indictment.
Prosecutors said the university had no record of her as a student or graduate.
Government Roles and Court Impact
McShane served as a child and family investigator in court custody cases across Colorado. Judges used her reports to determine parenting time and make decisions regarding children.
She also obtained a position at the Colorado State Mental Health Institute in Pueblo.
Discovery and Prosecution
McShane was named in several complaints to DORA, including a 2023 domestic relations case when a parent challenged her credentials. The parent contacted an associate director at the University of Hertfordshire, who was unable to locate any student records for McShane.
McShane was charged with 15 counts, including attempt to influence a public servant, forgery, retaliation against a victim or witness, and perjury.
Effect on Families
A parent whose custody rights were altered based on McShane’s evaluation spoke out after her indictment.
Steve Ramirez lost custody of his children based on McShane’s report describing him as a “high-class gang member,” Denver7 reported. He eventually had the decision reversed after a judge found her testimony “lopsided” and removed her from the court roster.
“It doesn’t fix what she did to us, and it doesn’t fix everything that happened to all the other families because we were not alone,” Ramirez told the outlet.
Guilty Plea
In April, McShane pleaded guilty to two felony charges of retaliation against a victim or witness and attempt to influence a public servant, in addition to one misdemeanor charge of perjury as part of a plea agreement.
What People Are Saying
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, in a statement following McShane’s indictment: “In this case, we are seeking to hold Shannon McShane accountable for her alleged conduct and to send a message that this behavior is intolerable.”
Chad Kullhem, a parent who submitted a complaint about McShane to DORA, told CBS News Colorado: “This really sets an example to them and shows that if they get caught, they are not just going to walk away and start a new career somewhere, they are going to be held accountable.”
What Happens Next
McShane was sentenced to four years in prison and given credit for 28 days served. The court ordered her to pay associated court fees.
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