Follow-up on corrections·September 14, 2021

Licensing Program Analysts (LPA), Alexandre Vo and Rebecca Ruiz, conducted an unannounced Case Management Inspection to follow-up on previous incidents initiated on December 12, 2018. LPAs were allowed entry into the facility after identifying themselves and met with Executive Director, Ben Geske. LPAs explained the purpose of the visit. The Department’s investigation included review of inter-agency reports and facility records, as well as, interviews with staff, residents, and outside sources. The facility completed all their reporting requirements and submitted self-reported incidents to the San Diego Regional Office in December of 2018 regarding theft of residents’ credit/debit cards and subsequent fraudulent charges on the residents’ financial accounts. Incident reports indicate that Resident #1 (R1, see List of Confidential Names) had an unauthorized charge of approximately $1,000. Resident #2 (R2) was reported to have unauthorized purchases on December 4 and December 5, 2018. Resident #3 (R3) also had confirmed unauthorized purchases on their financial accounts on December 11, 2018. Based on records and interviews, it was determined that Staff #1 (S1, see List of Confidential Names) committed acts of fraudulence and theft against the financial welfare of elderly residents at the licensed community care facility. S1 assumed a family member’s identity and was hired on November 27, 2018. S1 was last seen at the facility on December 6, 2018. According to review of facility records and to interviews, it was corroborated that S1’s key card time stamps coincide with access to residents’ rooms on these dates during their employment. Facility records, law enforcement reports, and interviews also revealed that S1, while working as a private duty aid, used resident’s stolen financial information to pay for their personal AT&T bills. S1 subsequently plead guilty to four felony accounts including financial elder abuse violations on May 26, 2021 at San Diego County Superior Court that occurred between the time span of 2018-2019. S1 was sentenced to four years in local county prison. A citation is being issued in accordance with Health and Safety Code 1569.58 and listed on the LIC809D. A Plan of Correction was developed with the Executive Director and an exit interview was conducted. A copy of this report and Licensee’s Appeal Rights (9058 01/16) were provided to the Executive Director at the conclusion of the visit by electronic mail. A confirmation of receipt was requested.