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CHARGES FILED AGAINST GROUP HOME DIRECTOR
A former group home director has been charged with taking money from 12 severely disabled adults. Debbie Anderson (formerly McDougall) is facing 12 third degree felony counts of exploitation of a disabled adult after an investigation into patient funds at the Bountiful West group home.
Anderson, 34, was the program director for the group home and had access to patient checking accounts. An audit determined that Anderson allegedly took $37,548 for her own use. Investigators also discovered that $150 was taken from six different patients--$900 total---to pay for a visit from a man dressed in an Easter Bunny suit.
"What happened here should be a warning to those who have loved ones in a group or nursing home," said Assistant Attorney General Colin Winchester. "Family members should ask questions about how finances are handled. They should know who has access to the patient's checking account and who will make sure the money is being spent properly."
Human Services Auditor Monica Fisher spent three years investigating spending irregularities at the group home. "They had some very unusual spending patterns, including reimbursing travel without obtaining receipts and lots of checks made out to cash," said Fisher.
RHA Community Services of Utah operated the group home and has paid back all of the patients in full.
"This is a text book case of the Attorney General's Office working together with the Department of Human Services to protect our vulnerable citizens," said Ross Larsen, the Financial Crimes Investigative Unit Chief.
Anderson was fired from the group home in 1999 for assaulting one of the patients and was later convicted of misdemeanor assault charges. She is scheduled to make her next appearance on the exploitation charges at the Davis County Courthouse on May 17. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless convicted in a court of law.
Family members and others who suspect financial exploitation or patient abuse at a group or nursing home can call the Medicaid Fraud Complaint Hotline at 1-800-244-4636 or the Adult Protective Services Complaint Hotline at (801)264-7699.
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