May 15 , 2007

Home Health Aide Sentenced To Jail

Khan pleaded guilty to theft, sentenced to 6 months in jail

MINEOLA – District Attorney Kathleen M. Rice announced today that a Bronx man working as a home health aide for a 90-year old Nassau County resident was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty in January to charging more than $12,000 to credit card accounts fraudulently obtained using the victim’s identity.

On January 30th, 2007, Amjad Khan, 28, pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Identity Theft in the Second Degree.

In addition to the jail sentence, Nassau County Court Judge Edward Maron sentenced the defendant to five years of supervision by the Department of Probation, full restitution and a $10,000 fine payable to Nassau County.  The defendant was also directed by the court not to work in a health care facility, or to take any position of employment involving direct, indirect, primary or secondary patient/resident/home health care for a period of five years.

Rice said Mr. Khan was employed for a year and a half as a home health aide, caring for a 90-year old Great Neck man with a significant medical history, which included a chronic renal condition, heart disease and a hip replacement.  While caring for the victim, the defendant applied for two American Express cards in the victim’s name and within six weeks of opening the account, had made more than $12,000 in purchases on the American Express cards and an additional VISA card of the victim’s.  Purchases included a bedroom set, living room furniture, clothing, food and supplies.  The thefts were reported to the authorities after a relative reviewing the victim’s credit card statements noticed the unauthorized purchases.  The defendant was arrested September 7, 2006.

“This is a horrible breach of trust by a caregiver,” said Rice. “Under this administration, caregivers who financially or physically abuse Nassau County’s elderly will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Rice.

Rice also noted that her office has referred the case to the New York State Department of Health for a review of the defendant’s nurse aide certification status.

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Nassau County Police Department’s Crimes Against Property Squad for their involvement in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

Assistant District Attorney Michael C. Clarke, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau, handled the case.  The defendant has been represented by Scott Limmer, Esq.