Louisiana Nursing Home Bookkeeper Accused of Stealing Over $20K from Residents
A 47-year-old woman working as a bookkeeper in a Louisiana nursing home was recently arrested and charged by the local police with theft. The woman is alleged to have falsely written and endorsed more than 50 checks that she made out to “petty cash” from an account that is set up for use by the nursing home residents. The total amount the police report as missing is $20,480.85.
The money the bookkeeper stole was from an account set-up by family members of the residents and overseen by the nursing home. The purpose of the account was to provide miscellaneous items that the residents wanted and needed.
When questioned, the accused bookkeeper told police that she used the money to pay premiums on residents’ insurance policies; however, she could not provide any documentation supporting her claim about the insurance payments.
The police reported finding a trash bag filled with shredded papers in the bookkeeper’s office. The papers appeared to be numerous checks, copies of checks, and bookkeeping records.
The woman was booked into jail with a bond of $40,000.
Compliance Perspective
Failure to protect funds deposited in an account maintained by the nursing home for the benefit of residents and resulting in fraud and theft may be considered a violation of residents’ rights under state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures regarding the protection and maintenance of residents’ personal funds and checks and balances for overseeing deposit and withdrawal activities.
- Train staff about the protocols to be used to prevent fraudulent activity and theft of residents’ funds.
- Periodically audit the records of deposits and withdrawals for petty cash and any other withdrawals from the residents’ personal funds accounts.
