Former manager of L.I. care facility admits to depleting resident bank accounts
The former manager of an adult care facility on Long Island admitted to stealing funds and eventually depleting the bank accounts of six residents over nearly four years, authorities said Monday.
Desiree Etheridge, 50, of North Carolina, pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny in Suffolk County Court, District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in a news release.
As the facility manager of Eden II in St. James, Etheridge had access to the debit cards and bank accounts of six residents “who entrusted her with their cards for petty cash purposes,” the district attorney’s office said.
One of her responsibilities as a manager was to take cash from their accounts so they could spend it in local stores and restaurants, authorities said. When the pandemic hit, she depleted their bank accounts.
“This case represents a grievous breach of trust,” Tierney said in a statement. “The defendant exploited vulnerable individuals who relied on her for their basic needs and financial management. She took advantage of the COVID-19 shutdown, when these residents were already isolated and at risk, to deplete their accounts.”
Between November 2018 and June 2022, Etheridge stole approximately $30,000, Tierney said at the time of her arraignment in August 2022.
Etheridge is due back in court on Aug. 29. She’s expected to be sentenced to one to three years in prison, according to the district attorney.
Etheridge’s attorney, Jason Russo, didn’t immediately return a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.
