Wayne Home Health Care Worker Sentenced to Probation For Theft by Deception of Elderly Client

Published on May 24, 2013

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces today that the Honorable Stuart A. Minkowitz, P.J.Cr. sentenced Linda Stimmel-Keay, age 47 of Wayne, New Jersey, to three years probation with a suspended sentence of 364 days in the Morris County Correctional Facility in connection with theft by deception while she was employed as a home health care worker for an elderly person.

An audit by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Fraud Unit revealed that the defendant was responsible for thefts from accounts the victim had at three financial institutions. The institutions and the amounts of the losses were: Ameriprise Financial $90,835.93; E-Trade $131,400.82; and Lakeland Bank Checking $62,994.58. The total amount of loss established was $285,231.33.

On April 16, 2013, the defendant pled guilty to 11 counts of Theft by Deception. Prior to the entry of defendant's guilty plea, $201,226.66 in restitution was paid to the victim by the defendant. Also, prior to the guilty plea, a consent order was executed by the defendant directing Lakeland Bank to transfer frozen funds it held in the amount of $20,409.13 plus any accrued interest.

Judge Minkowitz sentenced the defendant to three years probation with a suspended sentence of 364 days in the Morris County Correctional Facility; ten days in the Sheriff's Labor Assistance Program; 120 hours of Community Service; surrender of her Nurse Aide's Certification; and restitution to Ameriprise Financial of $63,595.54.

Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Legiec represented the State at the sentencing.

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Knapp thanks Police Chief Brian Spring and the Pequannock Township Police Department, and the Assistant Prosecutors and Investigators from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office for the efforts resulting in today's sentence.

Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.