Complaint Investigation Report

Allegation#1: Staff are financially abusing resident in care.

It is alleged that staff are financially abusing resident in care. Regarding this allegation it is reported that Resident #1 (R1) had given their food stamp card to a staff member so that Halloween candy could be purchased on R1’s behalf, but instead of purchasing the candy, the staff member took R1’s cash benefits out of the account. Interview with R1 revealed that R1 gave their food stamp card to a staff member with the name “Lopez” and that “Lopez” took out their cash benefits. R1 then stated that R1’s funds were stolen but when LPA asked how much was stolen, R1 stated that it was food stamps. LPA asked if R1 receives cash benefits and R1 stated that they do not. LPA inquired about a PIN for a food stamp card and R1 stated that only they knew the PIN confirming that this was not shared with anyone. LPA interviewed Administrator who denied this allegation and stated that staff are not allowed to and do not take any cards from the residents to make purchases as they do not handle residents’ finances. Administrator states that residents are responsible for their own finances as described in the Admission Agreement/House Rules section. Furthermore, Administrator stated that a PIN is required to use a food stamp card and that no one but the residents would have access to that PIN, also none of the residents receive actual money in their cards because they receive Social Security Insurance (SSI) making them ineligible for cash benefits. Interview with Staff #1 (S1) revealed that at no point do staff take any money or cards from residents, instead the residents are taken to the store of their choice and staff assist residents with the purchase of what they need, but do not directly make purchases for the residents to avoid this exact situation. LPA interviewed four (4) additional residents and all of them stated that the staff is not directly involved in making purchases for them, instead staff take them to the store and residents make their own purchases. LPA reviewed personnel records and there is no staff or has ever been a staff member with the name or last name of “Lopez”. LPA reviewed Admission Agreement/House Rules section where it is stated that facility is not responsible for resident finances as they handle their own. Therefore, based on interviews, record reviews and observations, this allegation is deemed unsubstantiated.