A Detroit, Michigan, man was arraigned in the 32A District Court in Harper Woods on March 18, 2026, for allegedly using his previous position as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to steal a 68‑year‑old nursing home resident’s debit card, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. He is accused of using the card to make nearly $9,000 in fraudulent purchases and cash withdrawals.
He was charged with:
- One count of Larceny in a Building, a felony punishable by up to four years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine;
- One count of Stealing a Financial Transaction Device, a felony punishable by up to four years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine; and
- Eighteen counts of Using a Financial Transaction Device Without Consent, each a separate felony offense punishable by up to four years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.
Between February 28 and March 2, 2024, the defendant allegedly used the resident’s account to conduct 18 unauthorized transactions totaling $8,915.53. These transactions included ATM withdrawals and retail purchases at locations equipped with surveillance video.
The defendant was released on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond. As a condition of his release, the court ordered that he not work in a nursing home or adult care facility.
“Stealing from vulnerable adults, especially when that theft is committed by someone entrusted with their care, is an egregious crime,” said Attorney General Nessel. “My office will continue protecting Michigan’s seniors and holding accountable those who exploit their positions of trust.”
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Long-term care providers are responsible for safeguarding residents from the misappropriation of funds and financial exploitation. Staff in certain roles may have direct or indirect access to residents’ financial information or payment methods, creating potential risk if appropriate controls are not in place. Vulnerable adults, particularly those with cognitive or physical impairments, may be unable to detect or report unauthorized activity. Facilities must maintain systems to prevent, identify, and respond to potential misuse of resident financial resources in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Discussion Points
- Review and strengthen policies governing staff access to resident financial information, payment methods, and personal property. Policies should clearly prohibit unauthorized use, establish accountability measures, and define procedures for reporting suspected exploitation. Consider periodic evaluation of these policies by an external compliance or risk management consultant to identify gaps and ensure alignment with current regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
- Provide ongoing education to staff on professional boundaries and their responsibilities for safeguarding resident property and financial resources. Training should include recognizing warning signs of unauthorized financial activity, proper handling of resident belongings, and mandatory reporting obligations. Med-Net Academy offers the course Protecting Resident Finances, which addresses appropriate professional behavior regarding gift giving, the prohibition against financial exploitation and misappropriation of funds or property, consequences of theft, and best practices for safeguarding residents’ belongings.
- Implement routine audits and monitoring processes to detect potential unauthorized financial activity. This may include reviewing transaction records, incident reports, and access practices related to resident property. Facilities may benefit from engaging an independent third party to conduct mock reviews or focused assessments to proactively identify vulnerabilities, strengthen internal controls, and support ongoing compliance efforts.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, Inc. for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*