Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Economic Crimes Unit

Florida Department of Health
- Investigative Services Unit

Air Ambulance Worldwide
4311 General Howard Drive, Clearwater

Timothy Leroy Lookabaugh (Arrested)
DOB: 08/13/1960
Address: 10432 Riverdale Rise Drive, Tampa
Charges: One count of Unlicensed Practice of a Health Care Profession

What:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested a Tampa man after he provided a fraudulent nursing license to his employer and provided medical care to patients while working for a medical air service provider in unincorporated Palm Harbor.

When:
Detectives were notified of the incident in May 2018.

Detectives arrested the suspect on January 18, 2019.

Where:
The incidents occurred at Air Ambulance Worldwide formerly located at 35246 U.S. Highway 19 North, Palm Harbor.

Why/How:
According to detectives, their investigation began in May 2018, after detectives were notified by the Florida Department of Health Investigative Services Unit of a potential licensing fraud.

Detectives say Air Ambulance Worldwide, a medical air service provider formally located in Palm Harbor, discovered that one of their employees provided a fraudulent State of Florida Registered Nurse (RN) license and license number. The issue was identified in April 2018 during an internal review at the business.

The CEO for Air Ambulance Worldwide notified the Florida Department of Health of the discrepancy and the employee, 59-year-old Timothy Lookabaugh, was terminated.

Through the course of their investigation, detectives learned that Lookabaugh was a licensed paramedic in Pennsylvania prior to being hired by Air Ambulance Worldwide as a flight paramedic in February 2014.

In August 2014, Lookabaugh told company officials he completed nursing school and provided Air Ambulance Worldwide with a document that appeared to be a valid State of Florida Registered Nurse (RN) license and license number.

Detectives say the registered nurse (RN) license number Lookabaugh provided was assigned to a woman who previously worked for Air Ambulance Worldwide, and is now retired.

During the four years Lookabaugh was employed with Air Ambulance Worldwide, the fraudulent (RN) license aided him in holding positions to include flight nurse, flight coordinator, and Director of Medical Services.

Records showed that Lookabaugh provided medical care to patients during his employment and completed approximately 53 medical flights in a registered nurse (RN) capacity. No medical emergencies were documented during any of these flights. 

At the time of his termination, Lookabaugh was working as the Director of Medical Services for Air Ambulance Worldwide.

On January, 18, 2018, detectives interviewed Lookabaugh at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Lookabaugh admitted to the allegations.

Detectives say a routine criminal history check showed Lookabaugh was arrested in Tennessee almost 20 years ago for fraud related criminal charges under an alias last name. Lookabaugh served time in prison for these charges.  

Lookabaugh was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Lookabaugh was charged with one count of Unlicensed Practice of a Health Care Profession.

The investigation continues.  

Booking photo of Timothy Lookabaugh.