complaint·February 27, 2025

Allegation: Staff financially abused a resident in care. The investigation findings revealed that Resident #1 (R1) had been living at this facility since June 19 th , 2024, and was not able to manage own Cash Resources. Interview with R1’s Power of Attorney (POA) revealed that R1 was left with one (1) credit card for an emergency use only and the facility Business Director was aware of it. After receiving R1’s August 2024 credit card statement, POA discovered multiple charges made in the amount of $4,554.38. Upon discovery, POA immediately notified R1’s credit card fraud department and stopped the card for further usage. Since the card charges were used to purchase airline tickets, POA was provided with a name of the person who purchased the tickets. POA also notified the facility and was informed that the perpetrator is a Staff #1 (S1). LPAs conducted interviews with the Executive Director and Resident Care Director and were informed that the facility filed a police report. However, LPAs were also informed that S1 last worked on 07/26/2024, took Paid Time Off (PTO) and was scheduled to come back on 08/10/2024. S1 called out on 08/10/2024, 08/11/2024, 08/13/2024 and notified the facility that due to family emergency will not be available until 08/16/2024. On 08/16/2024, S1 did not show up to work nor called with any explanations. Instead, S1 sent a text on 08/17/2024 informing the facility that he/she failed to give the two (2) weeks’ notice. Due to S1’s history of attendance the facility terminated S1’s employment as of 08/19/2024. Although, the interview with the Executive Director and Resident Care Director revealed that they were unaware of the fraudulent activities until that information was provided to them by R1’s POA on 08/30/2024, the facility failed to take appropriate measures to safeguard residents’ cash resources which resulted in "Staff financially abusing a resident in care". Therefore, based on the information gathered, there is sufficient evidence to conclude that the above allegation is Substantiated. Deficiency issued per CA code of Regulations Title 22 on LIC-9099D Exit interview conducted, appeal rights explained, and a copy of this report signed and delivered.