State seeks to revoke counselor LeAnne Paynter's license following criminal prosecution

May 6, 2011

On April 15, 2011, the Florida Department of Health filed a petition against mental health counselor Leanne Paynter, seeking to revoke or suspend her license. 

According to the state’s petition, Paynter, who was employed at the Florida Civil Commitment Center (a secure treatment facility for people who have been detained under the state’s Sexually Violent Predator Act) engaged in sex with an inmate of the center 17 times, according to data provided to authorities by the inmate. 

The state’s document reports that on four dates in 2010, security cameras captured Paynter and the inmate “alone for extended periods” and that during three of those dates, “the pair would remain on the floor together” for 90 minutes to three hours. 

Paynter was criminally charged in 2010 with felony sexual misconduct with a sexual predator under her care. On September 24, 2010, she entered into a pre-trial intervention program.  The felony charge against her will be dropped if she completes the requirements of the program.

Source: Robert Boyer, "State: Take license from Sebring clinician," Highlands Today, May 3, 2011.