Hunter files financial exploitation charges on caretaker
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter has charged a long-term healthcare provider with four counts of exploitation of disabled adults, after previously charging her with similar crimes.
Ashley Brown, 34, of Broken Arrow, has been charged with four counts of exploitation of disabled adults during her time owning Golden Care Home Health, an in-home health care company that provided an array of services to individuals with disabilities.
The charges filed today in Mayes County are the fourth set of charges brought by the Attorney General’s Office since last year for similar allegations.
In the most recent case, she is accused of stealing over $16,500 from clients who contracted for her services. An investigation showed she would routinely retain funds from the individuals through Social Security or other forms of government aid and not provide the services to the victims.
Some victims’ bills went entirely unpaid, which led to the individuals receiving eviction notices and utility services shut off.
Attorney General Hunter said the uncaring way Brown treated her victims is unacceptable.
“Elderly individuals, and those with disabilities, are some of our state’s most vulnerable and need our trust and care, especially if you agree to help them,” Attorney General Hunter said. “The callous way in which Ashley Brown disregarded the victims in all of these cases is sad and it is alarming she was in this position at all. We will ensure she is held accountable for all of her crimes, while hopefully getting the victims’ money back.”
Other Cases
Tulsa County
During Brown’s time as an accounting clerk at the Association for Direct Care Trainers, she is accused of embezzling over $23,000 from the company. Brown is alleged to have wired money from the company to her own company bank account. She also used other employees’ personal information to open debit cards in their names. Brown would then issue payroll to the debit cards and deposit that money into her personal account.
Creek County
After establishing her company, Golden Care Home Health Company, Brown contracted with a couple in their 90s. During the time in her care, the couple’s children found fraudulent transactions on their bank account. Payments were going to car payments for Brown and cellphone bills, among other fraudulent purchases.
Oklahoma County
After the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) terminated the contract with her business, Brown fraudulently transferred ownership of her company to a third party in an attempt to get a new contract. Making a false statement to qualify as a Medicaid provider is a violation of state law. Charges were filed and the contract with OHCA has not been renewed.
All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Read the information, here: https://bit.ly/3hLfZl4.