Sex with client ends in trouble and more trouble for Wisconsin social worker Jackie Morter

August 11, 2012

On January 11, 2012, the Wisconsin Marriage & Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board suspended clinical social worker Jackie Morter for 30 months, retroactively beginning December 1, 2009.

According to the Board’s document, Morter worked as a psychotherapist at Sheboygan Count Health and Human Services (SCHHS), in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. From May 15, 2008 to July 29, 2009, she provided psychotherapy and case management services to client T.R.

On July 18, 2009, while Morter was out of town, Sheboygan police were notified of a possible burglary at her residence. Officers found T.R. in Morter’s driveway, attempting to operate her vehicle. When police contacted Morter regarding T.R.’s presence at her home, she stated she’d not given him permission to enter her home or operate her vehicle.

T.R. was arrested for burglary and driving a vehicle without owner consent. On October 29, 2009, Morter’s supervisors at SCHHS initiated an investigation of Morter’s relationship with T.R. Recorded telephone conversations between the two revealed a sexual relationship. On November 5, 2009, Morter revealed to two co-workers that she was having a sexual relationship with T.R.

Morter was terminated from her employment with SCHHS on November 24, 2009.

In January 2010, Sheboygan Police filed a complaint with request for charges against Morter to the District Attorney for her false statement—that T.R. did not have permission to be in her house—during the burglary investigation. 

Source: Final Decision and Order #0001302, In the Matter of the Disciplinary Proceedings Against Jackie M. Morter, Division of Enforcement Case #09-SOC-074, Wisconsin Marriage & Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board.