May 18 , 2007

Queens Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft from Elderly Woman in Assisted Living Facility

Seujattan withdrew more than $100k from bank account

MINEOLA, NY – District Attorney Kathleen M. Rice announced today that a home health aide who cared for an elderly Nassau County resident living at an assisted living facility pleaded guilty to stealing a debit card and withdrawing more than $100,000 from the victim’s bank accounts.

Appearing today in Nassau County Court before Justice William C. Donnino, Cindy Seujattan pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second and Fourth Degrees.  She faces up to 15 years in prison at her August 2 sentencing.

Ms. Seujattan, 28, from Richmond Hill, Queens, was employed in 2005 by the victim, a 72-year-old woman living at The Atria Assisted Living Facility in Great Neck.  The victim required assistance with her activities due to her advanced age and physical condition, which included a diagnosis of insulin dependent diabetes, vision impairment, history of hip replacement, and a history of renal disease/kidney replacement.  The charges allege that over a twelve month period Ms. Seujattan took and used the victim’s debit card without the victim’s knowledge or permission, and made unauthorized withdrawals and purchases in excess of $107,000.00. 

Noting that the month of May has been designated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Aging as “Older Americans Month,” Rice said, “My office will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute individuals who prey upon our defenseless and infirm citizens.  Attacks on the elderly and vulnerable in our communities will be met with severe consequences in this county.”

District Attorney Rice thanked the Nassau County Police Department’s Sixth Precinct Detective Squad and The Atria Assisted Living Facility in Great Neck for assistance provided during the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

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.

Assistant District Attorneys Michael C. Clarke and William J. Wallace from the District Attorney’s Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau handled this case.  Ms. Seujattan is represented by Donald Rollock, Esq.