CNA Misappropriation of Resident Funds via Cash App and Trust Fund Card
Penalty
Summary
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) misappropriated funds from a resident who was cognitively intact and diagnosed with quadriplegia. The resident began sending money to the CNA via Cash App to purchase food and paid additional fees for this service. In April, the resident provided her trust fund card to the CNA for continued shopping assistance. Over time, the resident noticed unauthorized charges on both her Cash App and trust fund accounts, including transactions that coincided with the CNA's personal activities, such as dining at a restaurant. The resident provided screenshots and account summaries showing numerous unauthorized transactions totaling thousands of dollars. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the standard practice was for Social Services or the Activity Director to shop for residents, and staff were not permitted to take resident debit cards or receive money via Cash App. The resident was unaware of this policy and did not request assistance from these departments. The CNA denied the unauthorized transactions, but evidence from account records and resident testimony identified the CNA as the recipient of the funds. The facility's policy prohibits the misappropriation of resident property or finances, but this policy was not followed in this case, resulting in significant financial loss for the resident.