State Repays Nurse Who Accidentally Let License Lapse

BOSTON (CBS) - A nurse who was forced to repay the state more than $10,000 for accidentally letting her license lapse has gotten her money back.

Nurse Julie Frascarelli works for Mass Health and takes care of 13-year-old Leevon Toppi of North Andover who requires 24-hour care. He can't walk, see, nor speak.

While caring for him one day in 2012, she realized her nursing license had expired. She quickly renewed it online and paid the $57 fine.

However, Mass Health demanded she repay every dime she earned during that six-week period which totaled more than $10,000. That's in spite of the fact that she worked every day caring for Leevon. That money was taken out of Frascarelli's paychecks.

On NightSide with Dan Rea Monday night, Frascarelli said she recently received a check from the state for $10,505.

LISTEN: Nurse Frascarelli On Nightside

While her checks were being garnished, Frascarelli continued to care for Leevon. "That was a tough stretch, but Leevon needed care and there was no one else," Frascarelli told Dan Rea.

Dan Rea helped get local lawyers involved in the case after Frascarelli shared her story with the WBZ-TV I-Team.

"I'm frustrated that I went through it but I'm very happy that it's over and we were successful and I guess you can fight city hall and win some times," Frascarelli said.

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