The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has immediately suspended the following licenses of William Leslie Harshman, L.L.P.C., L.M.S.W., L.L.P., educational limited licensed professional counselor, licensed master's social worker and limited licensed psychologist. The suspension was based on Harshman's convictions in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, Genesee County, Michigan. Harshman failed to report his convictions to MDCH as required by the Public Health Code.

On Sept. 22, 2008, Harshman, 51, was convicted of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and home invasion - first degree, both felonies. As a result, Harshman was sentenced to 36 months incarceration with credit for 304 days, and ordered to receive psychological and substance abuse counseling, vocational training, have no contact with the victim, and pay fines and costs totaling $21,273.45.

On Dec. 19, 2008, MDCH issued an order summarily suspending Harshman's licenses pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional upon the conviction of a felony, a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a maximum term of two years, or a controlled substance-related conviction. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Harshman's licenses.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.