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By Forum Staff
Authorities say an elderly Queens couple, who employed the same home health aide for the last five years, was bilked out of more than $170,000 in life savings from them over a nine-month period in 2016.
“The victims in this case opened up their home to the defendant, only to have her repay their trust by allegedly taking advantage of them to unjustly enrich herself. She now faces a lengthy period of time behind bars for her alleged betrayal.”
Chaniesa Simmons, 42, of Central Islip, Long Island was arraigned before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron on a 41-count indictment charging her with the crimes of second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, first-degree falsifying business records, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.
According to the charges, the couple, a 92-year-old man and his 88-year-old wife who suffers from dementia – required around-the-clock care to assist them with their daily living and other services, such as trips to the doctor. Accordingly, the husband hired Simmons as a personal aide approximately five years ago. In December 2016, Merrill Lynch notified the husband’s son, who has power of attorney over his father’s financial affairs, of several checks written from his father’s cash management account that appeared to be forged. The checks were allegedly payable to Simmons and had been negotiated through her checking account. A review of the father’s financial accounts from calendar year 2016 allegedly revealed forged checks totaling more than $170,000 from two separate bank accounts and payable to Simmons.
Simmons, who faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted was ordered held on $100,000 bond/$100,000 cash bail and will return to court on June 21.
