California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced felony grand theft charges against an unlicensed Room and Board Operator. The operator is accused of stealing from an elder resident while the resident was hospitalized. The California Department of Justice launched an investigation following a complaint from Contra Costa County Adult Protective Services, which alleged financial exploitation, neglect, psychological abuse, and isolation at unlicensed facilities in Contra Costa.
The investigation discovered that between May and September 2021, the operator allegedly withdrew money multiple times from the elder adult’s bank account. "Caregivers of seniors and dependent adults bear a significant responsibility to prioritize the safety and overall health of those in their care," stated Attorney General Bonta. "At the California Department of Justice, we are dedicated to combating all forms of elder abuse and neglect. We will act swiftly to hold accountable anyone who harms or takes advantage of these at-risk members of our community."
The complaint was filed in Contra Costa County Superior Court with charges including grand theft from an elder adult and grand theft by access card. The defendant has self-surrendered to the court and is scheduled for arraignment on April 16, 2025.
It should be noted that criminal charges must be proven in court, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA) works to protect Californians by investigating and prosecuting abuse, neglect, and fraud against elderly and dependent adults in the state. It also targets fraud against the Medi-Cal program. DMFEA receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $69,244,976 for Federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of California. Fiscal Year 2025 spans from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
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