February 6, 2013
Reno, NV – Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced that Carol Nanas, 62, of Reno, was sentenced today in a case of financial exploitation of an older person. The case involved Nanas’, a manager and caregiver of JC Group Home II, an assisted living facility, access to and use of a group home resident’s personal bank account.
“We must ensure that all of our citizens are protected and kept safe and healthy in their homes, whatever their age and living arrangements,” said Masto. “We are fortunate to have discovered and stopped this before there was greater harm to the victim and before the problem had become wide spread.”
The investigation began in 2012 after the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services provided information to the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) that a group home resident had been financially exploited by Nanas.
The investigation showed that Nanas withdrew money from the resident’s account, gambled some of the money and sent some of the money to an ailing relative in the Philippines. Nanas admitted to taking the money.
Nanas entered a plea of no contest and was convicted of a misdemeanor offense of exploitation of an older person. Justice of the Peace Patricia Lynch sentenced Nanas to time served of 13 days jail and ordered Nanas to repay $2,000 in restitution and costs.
The case was investigated and prosecuted by the MFCU, which investigates and prosecutes financial fraud by those providing healthcare services or goods to Medicaid patients. The MFCU also investigates and prosecutes instances of elder abuse or neglect. Anyone wishing to report suspicions regarding any of these concerns may contact the MFCU at 775-684-1191 or 702-486-3187.
The case was prosecuted by Matthew Jensen, Senior Deputy Attorney General.
| Carol Nanas |
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| (Photo courtesy of Washoe County Detention Facility) |
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