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Ex-Hospital Employee Accused Of Stealing Patient Files, Harassing Patients

UPDATED 08/22/12 10:15 a.m.

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (CBS) -- Cook County Sheriff's police Wednesday morning arrested a suburban woman who allegedly stole confidential patient files from a psychiatric hospital.

As WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, Cook County Sheriff's police say Michelle Morrison, 52, confessed to detectives when she was arrested at her home in Elk Grove Village.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports

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Morrison was fired two years ago from her job as a senior account representative at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, at 1650 Moon Lake Blvd. in Hoffman Estates.

Morrison is alleged to have sent six letters to patients between Feb. 5, 201,1, and June 25 of this year. In the letters she allegedly threatened to expose sensitive psychiatric information about them, and their treatment, to family, friends and coworkers.

Morrison, who worked for Alexian Brothers from November 2005 to July 2010, allegedly told investigators she threatened the patients because she was trying to embarrass the hospital for firing her.

Police were called because patients received the letters, prosecutors said in court Wednesday. In the letters, Morrison allegedly wrote that the patients' electroshock therapy didn't work, and a lobotomy was suggested.

Morrison stands charged with forgery. Her bond was set at $25,000 Wednesday morning at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse for a bond hearing.

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