California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the recent sentencing of Shekira Thompson, a former nursing assistant at Sutter Roseville Medical Center. Thompson was found guilty of stealing cash and credit cards from three elderly patients during her employment at the facility between November and December 2022. She used the stolen credit cards to make purchases exceeding two thousand dollars at locations including a wig store, nail salon, and a mall.
"Healthcare providers have a profound responsibility to treat their patients with the highest level of compassion and dignity," said Attorney General Bonta. "They support individuals during some of the most challenging moments in their lives. At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to fighting against all types of elder abuse and neglect. We will take prompt action to ensure that anyone who exploits or harms these vulnerable members of our community is held accountable. We appreciate the collaboration with Sutter Health Department of Protective Services on this investigation."
Thompson faced charges for two felony counts of theft from an elder or dependent adult, one misdemeanor count of theft from an elder or dependent adult, and one count of felony identity theft. She pleaded guilty to all charges and admitted to the aggravating circumstances outlined in the criminal complaint. As a result, Thompson was sentenced to 200 days in jail, formal probation for two years, ordered to pay restitution to the affected individuals, and banned from employment as a caregiver in facilities that primarily care for elders or dependent persons.
Funding for the Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, which investigates such crimes, is sourced from a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This funding covers 75 percent of their budget, amounting to $69,244,976 for the Federal fiscal year 2025, with the remaining 25 percent provided by the State of California. The fiscal year 2025 spans from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
A copy of the criminal complaint is available for public access.