Woman convicted after lying about law degree, license

HUNTINGDON-- A Huntingdon County woman who practiced law for nearly a decade was found guilty of practicing law without a license.

Kimberly Kitchen was found guilty by a judge late Thursday morning on all charges.

The most serious charge Kitchen was convicted of was a felony count of tampering with public documents officials said she could spend time in prison. That charge could carry a maximum sentence of 3 1/2 to 7 years behind bars. Though she hasn't been sentenced, Attorney General Kathleen Kane's Office is happy with the conviction.

"The Attorney General's Office is certainly pleased to prove this case but more importantly to take an impersonator office the streets," said spokesman Chuck Ardo.

The case was non-jury trial, tried in front of a Clearfield County judge and prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office. Because Kitchen worked for nearly a decade as a lawyer she was a familiar face in the court house. Outside officials were needed to ensure a fair trial.

"To remove any possible taint, we handled it the way we did," Ardo said.

While Kitchen worked at the BMZ law firm her specialty was estate planning. She was a partner at the firm when he credentials were questioned. Investigators found Kitchen never attended law school or had a license to practice law. But they did find Kitchen forged documents when confronted about her education. The documents include a fake email that verified she attended Duquesne University School of Law and an email with a phony photo of a law license.

Many question, how the law firm didn't know. Two current BMZ firm partners testified at her trial. They had no comment for our cameras, but in December of 2014 the firm issued this statement: "Sadly, it would appear that our firm was the last, in a long line of professionals, to have been deceived by Ms. Kitchen into believing she was licensed to practice law."

Under oath they said her lie cost the firm money, clients and tarnished their reputation.

The Attorney General's Office said it was only a matter of time before Kitchen's lies caught up with her.

"They almost always get caught," Ardo said.

The judge wasted no time returning a guilty verdict. Within seconds, Kitchen knew her fate family and friends crying.

A sentence was not imposed Thursday. Kitchen will be sentenced at a later date. That date has not yet been scheduled.

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