Serial nurse impersonator sentenced in B.C. Supreme Court to 7 years in prison

Brigitte Cleroux, a serial nurse impersonator, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a string of crimes committed in British Columbia between 2019 and 2021. These crimes include impersonation, forgery, fraud, theft, assault, and assault with a weapon.

Cleroux, 52, utilized stolen and forged documents to secure employment as a dental assistant in Surrey, B.C., as well as positions as a nurse at both B.C. Women’s Hospital in Vancouver and the View Royal Surgical Centre in Victoria. The assault charges stem from incidents where she injected patients without their consent, posing as a licensed nurse.

This is not the first time Cleroux has been convicted of such offenses. She has previously been found guilty of similar crimes in Quebec, Alberta, and Ontario, where she is currently serving a seven-year sentence for impersonating a nurse at two Ottawa clinics.

During the sentencing process in B.C. Supreme Court, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes outlined the complex nature of the case. The overall effect of the sentence will be to extend Cleroux’s Ontario prison term by an additional three to four years, as only a portion of the B.C. sentence will be served consecutively.

One victim, who was treated by Cleroux at B.C. Women’s Hospital, expressed disappointment in the sentencing. She highlighted the impact Cleroux’s crimes had on individuals, the nurse she impersonated, and public trust in the institutions she exploited. The victim, who remains anonymous due to a publication ban, recounted her encounter with Cleroux during a procedure four years ago, where she immediately sensed something was amiss.

Cleroux had stolen the identity and registration number of a real nurse, forcing the nurse to change her name to avoid further complications. Throughout her time at B.C. Women’s Hospital, Cleroux treated nearly 900 patients, and an additional 56 patients, including children, during her brief tenure at the private clinic in Victoria.

Justice Holmes expressed doubts about Cleroux’s prospects for rehabilitation, citing her extensive criminal record and deep-seated dishonesty. Despite the sentencing, the victim from B.C. Women’s Hospital is pursuing a civil suit and proposed class action against the institution.

The case of Brigitte Cleroux serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of verifying credentials and conducting thorough background checks in healthcare settings to protect patients and uphold the integrity of the profession.