Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox charges former admissions
director of nursing home with identity theft...
AG continues efforts to protect
nursing home residents from exploitation
LANSING, Mich., April 20 /PRNewswire/
-- Attorney General Mike Cox announced today that he has charged
Alberta Davis, a former admissions director at Luther Haven Nursing
Center in Detroit, with stealing the identity of a nursing home
resident to obtain a cellular phone account in the resident's name.
"Those who prey on vulnerable
adults deserve the harsh punishment our laws impose," said Cox.
"This is especially true when an individual uses a position of trust
to exploit his or her victims. My office will continue to be
vigilant in defending Michigan's citizens, particularly the most
vulnerable among us, from identity theft. "
Davis served as admissions
director at Luther Haven Nursing Center from October 2001 to
September 2005. As the admissions director, Davis had access to all
Luther Haven residents' personal identification information,
including date of birth and Social Security number.
On June 21, 2002, a cellular
telephone account was opened in the name of an elderly female Luther
Haven resident using her Social Security number and date of birth.
After an anonymous tip, Attorney General investigators determined
that the address used for the cellular account was Ms. Davis'
residence and that the account had been used to call Davis' family
in Michigan and out of state. No payments were made on the cellular
account, and service was terminated after five statements were sent
to Davis' address.
Davis was arraigned before
Magistrate Renee McDuffee in the 36th District Court. She was
released on a personal recognizance bond. A preliminary examination
date has been set for May 1, 2006, in the 36th District Court.
A criminal charge is merely an
accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless
proven guilty. The penalty for identity theft is up to 5 years in
prison and/or a fine up to $10,000.00.