Virginia Psychologist Mwende Mualuko, Jailed for Shoplifting in 2017, Convicted and Jailed Again

May 20, 2019

In July 2017, psychologist Mwende Mualuko, who had practiced in Utah and Washington, applied for a psychology license in Virginia. In processing her application, the Virginia Board of Psychology discovered that Mualuko had been convicted in Alexandria, Virginia in May 2017 of petit larceny.

More specifically, she’d been found guilty of “Concealing or taking possession of merchandise; altering price tags; transferring goods from one container to another, counseling etc., another in performance of such acts” involving an item/items worth approximately $200. This is commonly known as shoplifting. 

She was sentenced to 30 days in jail.  

On September 21, 2017, the Virginia Board of Psychology issued an order reprimanding Mualuko for having been convicted of a “felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude,” which is a violation of the state’s regulations governing the practice of psychology. The Board nonetheless at the same time issued Mualuko a full and unrestricted license to practice.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) received information that on June 2, 2018 Mualuko had again been arrested in Virginia. On this occasion, the charges were Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (felony), Fleeing from Law Enforcement (misdemeanor) and Public Swearing/Intoxication (misdemeanor). 

In monitoring these charges, CCHR found that Mualuko was convicted December 17, 2018 of Fleeing from Law Enforcement and Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence (misdemeanor)—amended from the earlier charge of Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (felony). 

She was sentenced to a total of 18 months in jail, all but one month of which was suspended. 

Mualuko currently practices in Fairfax, Virginia. The Virginia Board of Psychology has not taken disciplinary action against her regarding the most recent criminal convictions.

Source: Consent Order in re: Mwende K. Mualuko, L.C.P. Applicant, Case No. 182153, Virginia Board of Psychology, Sept. 21, 2017 and Traffic/Criminal Case Details for Mualuko, Mwende Kayla, Middlesex General District Court, Case Nos. GC18000367-00, GC18000368-00, and GC18000369-00.