| For Immediate Release Case # 09NF1793
|
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
FORMER CARETAKER CONVICTED OF STEALING OVER $100,000 FROM DEVELOPMENTALLY
DISABLED ADULTS
*Also convicted of stealing from a 93-year-old nearly-blind aunt of another victim
SANTA ANA – A former caretaker for developmentally disabled adults pleaded guilty today to stealing over $100,000 from her clients by writing checks from their accounts. Shandie Marie Lacsamana Rosete, 34, Placentia, pleaded guilty today to four felony counts of caretaker theft from a dependent adult and a sentencing enhancement for property loss over $100,000. She is expected to be sentenced to seven years in state prison and ordered to pay over $102,000 in restitution at her sentencing on Sept. 10, 2010, in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Between January 2004 and December 2007, Rosete worked as a caretaker for Project Independence, an Orange County non-profit that provides employment and independent living services to developmentally disabled adults. The defendant was entrusted to assist her adult clients with managing their money by helping them to set up checking accounts, pay bills, write checks, and make deposits.
Without the knowledge or consent of the victims, Rosete wrote 652 checks to herself from the bank accounts of 14 developmentally disabled adults. One of the 14 victims lived with her 93-year-old, nearly-blind aunt. The 93-year-old woman asked Rosete for assistance with her finances. Rosete also wrote 11 checks to herself or “cash” from this victim’s account.
The Anaheim and Garden Grove Police Departments began investigating the theft after a relative complained to Project Independence that someone was stealing from his developmentally disabled relative.
Deputy District Attorney Sean O’Brien of the White Collar Crime Team is prosecuting this case.
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