Alison Winter, the therapist who counseled Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann, is facing felony charges for allegedly practicing social work without a license for approximately six years and defrauding insurance companies out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Winter, 52, was arrested in November 2024 on charges including grand larceny, scheme to defraud, and 14 counts of unauthorized practice of a profession. Prosecutors stated that she posed as a licensed social worker between November 2018 and May 2024, providing mental health counseling without proper credentials.
During this period, Winter allegedly received about $60,000 in insurance reimbursements, with nearly $50,000 billed to Cigna. She also received payments through Medicare and UnitedHealthcare. Assistant District Attorney Cory Neunzig detailed at her arraignment that Winter practiced social work in the form of mental health counseling without a license during this six-year timeframe.
Winter was Heuermann’s jailhouse therapist for nearly three years. She was present for his confession to his wife and daughter regarding the murders of eight women, according to reports.
Heuermann was arrested on July 13, 2023, and is charged in connection with the deaths of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, and Karen Vergata. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney confirmed the pending charges against Winter. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 21. The alleged fraudulent insurance reimbursements involved tens of thousands of dollars.