DRUMRIGHT, Okla. -- A Creek County nursing home administrator has been charged with financial exploitation, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office announced on Tuesday.
According to the findings of an investigation by the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Tina Pearson, of Drumright, stole $217,000 from at least 33 elderly residents at the Drumright Nursing Home.
“[Pearson] used her position as an administrator to divert funds that were supposed to go to residents to herself instead,” a news release says.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, Pearson admitted she used the money to support a gambling addiction.
AG Mike Hunter called crimes against the elderly “appalling,” and said his office does not tolerate it.
“Residents of nursing homes are in vulnerable positions and those charged with residents’ care have the duty to protect them,” Hunter said. “When that authority is abused, my office will ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
A review of banking records showed Pearson wrote checks from a resident trust account made payable to cash, to herself, or to the name of the bank holding the trust so she could withdraw the residents’ funds in cash, according to investigators.
The trust account was originally set up to hold money for residents to be used only for their benefit. Pearson was the administrator over the account, documents say.
If convicted, Pearson faces up to 10 years in prison and fines.
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