Dennis Rugg, 43, of Columbus, faces one felony count of forgery and five misdemeanor counts of practicing nursing without a license.

Columbus Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the state Bureau of Quality Assurance researched the records and reached the same conclusion, said Gary VandenHouten, the nursing home's administrator.

Rugg, who was hired by the nursing home as a certified nursing assistant, told co-workers he was getting his nursing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, records show.

On July 12, 2001, he allegedly presented a fake license to the director of nursing and was hired as a registered nurse.

Rugg was fired in January after VandenHouten discovered the deception.

VandenHouten said he checked Rugg through a state database that provides information on recipients of professional licenses. When Rugg's name didn't appear, the state Department of Justice, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, came out to investigate.

VandenHouten didn't say what led him to research the validity of Rugg's credentials.

Among those treated by Rugg were a 69-year-old patient who received five doses of OxyContin and one dose of Hydrocodone between July 24 and 31, 2001 and a 62-year-old patient who was given oxygen by Rugg.

He also diagnosed the patient, saying "wheezing heard in all lung fields. "

The criminal complaint shows three patients died who had been under Rugg's care but investigators found no connection between Rugg's behavior and the deaths.

The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison while each misdemeanor count carries a one year maximum jail term.

He appeared in court Wednesday and is scheduled to return Sept. 4.