A former Arapahoe County social worker convicted of filing a false child abuse claim against an Aurora city councilwoman pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges related to her lying about having brain cancer during her initial criminal case.
Robin Niceta, 42, pleaded guilty to criminal impersonation, forgery, tampering with physical evidence and attempting to influence a public servant, according to the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office.
Niceta was arrested after she called in a fake tip in January 2022 against Aurora Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky after Jurinsky criticized Niceta’s then-partner — Vanessa Wilson, who was Aurora’s embattled police chief at the time — on a talk radio show. She was sentenced to four years in prison and six months in jail in May.
During that case, Jurinsky’s attorney filed paperwork to delay her trial and evaluate her competency claiming she was terminally ill, including reports from a New Mexico oncology doctor who allegedly diagnosed her with glioblastoma.
But investigators found the New Mexico doctor did not exist, the papers contained errors and improper terminology and the MRI scans could be found on the internet, according to the district attorney’s office.
A Facebook page and phone number for the oncology practice were also linked to Niceta. She was indicted by a grand jury on 10 charges in the case in July 2023.
In a statement, Arapahoe County District Attorney John Kellner described Niceta’s actions, including the false child abuse claim, as “absurd.”
“Her actions were spiteful, vindictive and wasted numerous county resources,” Kellner said. “I believe her nefarious conduct warrants additional time in the Department of Corrections.”
An attorney for Niceta declined to comment on the case. Niceta is set to be sentenced on Jan. 17.
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