BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) — A nurse is accused of unlawfully accessing the information of patients at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, federal prosecutors say.

Jessica Pitcher, 41, of Shelbyville, has been charged with a misdemeanor, the U.S. Attorney General’s Office said Tuesday.

Investigators say that in November 2023, Pitcher, then a Veterans Affairs nurse, “unlawfully accessed and obtained protected health information of a patient.” A Tuesday release did not explain why Pitcher wanted the information.

“Patients have an absolute expectation of privacy concerning the communications and information shared with medical professionals and contained within their medical records,” U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement. “Federal law has long protected such privacy to ensure that patients, without fear of any disclosure, can share with their medical providers all information critical to receiving proper medical care. My office will hold accountable those who access or disclose confidential patient health information without authorization and without justification under federal law.”

If convicted, Pitcher could spend up to a year in prison and have to pay a $100,000 fine.